Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are potent greenhouse gases used as alternatives to ozone-depleting substances (ODS) being phased out under the Montreal Protocol. Atmospheric observations show that the volume of HFCs in the atmosphere is increasing rapidly, about 10-15% per year.
Significant growth in HFC use is expected in developing countries because of population growth, rapid urbanization, electrification and changing consumer patterns. The increased use of refrigerants will also result in increased energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. If no measures are taken, it is estimated that HFCs will amount to 9-19% of total CO2 emissions by 2050.
The HFC Initiative has brought together governments, the private sector, and intergovernmental organizations to disseminate information on and strategies for developing, deploying, and promoting climate-friendly technologies. Capacity building activities, including technology conferences and exhibitions, interactive partner tools, and case studies, have increased knowledge of more sustainable technologies that are available in a number of sectors, including refrigeration and air conditioning, as well as provided information on policies that promote development and deployment of these alternatives.
HFC surveys provided the first comprehensive set of data and information on HFC use and consumption in 14 developing countries. Three ongoing demonstration projects are showcasing and validating HFC alternative technologies in commercial refrigeration and mobile air conditioning, and will provide information on the performance and energy use associated with these alternatives.
Under the HFC Initiative, Coalition partners are currently supporting the development of HFC inventories and studies, information exchange on policy and technical issues, demonstration projects to validate and promote climate-friendly alternatives and technologies, and various capacity-building activities to disseminate information on emerging technologies and practices to transition away from high-GWP HFCs and minimize HFC leakages.
The HFC Initiative's overall objective is to significantly reduce the projected growth in the use and emissions of high-GWP HFCs in coming decades. More specifically, it aims to mobilize efforts of the private sector, civil society, international organizations, and governments, with a view to:
The initiative continues to support the HFC agenda through publications and workshops, political outreach events, and investment projects that demonstrate alternative technologies. 2016-2017 initiative highlights include:
5-year milstones:
Over the last year, the Coalition has increased high-level engagement and developed a robust framework for a multiple benefits pathway approach. Key results from our 11 initiatives are reflected...
This document presents results from the Climate & Clean Air Coalition’s Cooling & Refrigeration (HFC) Initiative reported between July 2016 and June 2017. These results were recorded...
Lead Partner: A Coalition partner with an active role in coordinating, monitoring and guiding the work of an initiative.
Implementer: A Coalition partner or actor receiving Coalition funds to implement an activity or initiative.
According to research, if the emissions of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS) had continued to grow at the rate they were growing before the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone layer, the net effect is equivalent to 135 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is double total annual greenhouse gas emissions to date. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are rapidly increasing in the atmosphere as they are adopted as ozone-friendly alternatives. Emissions of HFCs are growing at a rate of 8% per year, and by 2050, without action, they could rise so high that they almost cancel the tremendous climate benefits won earlier by the phase-out of ODS.
There are three categories of alternative technical options for minimizing the influence of HFCs on climate: (1) Alternative methods and processes (also called ‘not-in-kind’ alternatives): Commercially used examples include fibre insulation materials, dry-powder asthma inhalers and building designs that avoid the need for air-conditioners; (2) Using non-HFC substances with low or zero GWP: Commercially used examples include hydrocarbons, ammonia, CO2, dimethyl ether and other diverse substances used in various types of foam products, refrigeration, and fire protection systems; and (3) Using low-GWP HFCs: HFCs currently in use have a range of atmospheric lifetimes and GWPs (the shorter the lifetime, the lower the GWP). The mix of HFCs in current use, weighted by usage (tonnage), has an average lifetime of 15 years. However, several low- GWP HFCs (with lifetimes of less than a few months) are now being introduced, e.g. HFC-1234ze in foam.
There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution on HFC alternatives. Many ozone-friendly and climate-friendly alternatives exist for high-GWP HFCs in a number of sectors. More work needs to be done before full advantage of these alternatives can be taken, and the CCAC contributes to this task through the implementation of HFC inventories, technology demonstration projects, and capacity-building and awareness raising activities. The solution that works best will depend on many factors such as the local situation for production and use, the costs of different alternatives, the availability of components, and the feasibility of implementation.
This short paper summarises the findings of the first six HFC inventories carried out with CCAC support. Sections 2–7 summarise the main findings for each country, while Section 8 provides...
This publication comprises two sections.
Section 1 on commercial refrigeration, specifically retail food refrigeration firstly provides a brief sector overview and includes six new case...
Devcco prepared this study to examine the feasibility of replacing the existing population of HCFC/HFC based air-conditioners in Malé and Hulhumalé, Maldives, with district cooling technology...
The Sustainable Technologies for Air Conditioning Workshop is the sixth in a series of workshops developed by the HFC Initiative of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition’s (CCAC), in collaboration...
This report elaborates and summarizes salient learnings and insights from stakeholder consultations conducted in the form of two workshops – one focused on the residential-sector during 15-17...
Workshop on the Technological options of low globalwarming potential for refrigeration systems in the supermarket sector.
Date: November 7 and 8 of 2017.
Location: Hotel Neruda,...
On March 25, 2016 at the Bishkek the workshop within implementation of the project on preparation of the review of ODS alternatives’ consumption and reporting of summary data was held. The leading...
The purpose of this study is to analyse the technical, economic, legislative and environmental background of the product group room air conditioners in order to derive award criteria for the...
In July 2012, the “Advancing Ozone & Climate Protection Technologies: Next Steps” conference was held in Bangkok, Thailand with over 400 participants, including representatives from industry,...
In order to assist countries, in particular developing countries, in planning and implementing HCFC transitions that minimize climate impacts, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-...