Action on HFC gases

摘要

A scientific paper that highlights the requirement for accelerating action over hydroflurocarbons (HFCs) as part of the climate change agenda was recently welcomed by the Head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The authors argue that HFC use could climb sharply in the coming years in products such as insulation foams in air-conditioning units and refrigeration as replacements for the ones being phased out to protect the ozone layer. Under a scenario where carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are pegged at 450 ppm, HFCs could reach 9 gigatonnes - equal to around 45 per cent of total CO2 emissions -by 2050 if their growth is unchecked. Conversely, rapid action to freeze and cut emissions annually alongside fostering readily available alternatives could see HFC emissions fall to under 1 gigatonne.