International. The environmental impact of HFC gases in 2015 stood at approximately 0.84% of the total. Although the percentage has been slightly higher than in 2014, this contribution will fall with current proposals for a gradual reduction of refrigerant gases internationally.
This was stated in the latest AGGI (Annual Greenhouse Gas Index) report prepared by noAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) of the United States, which constantly monitors the evolution of greenhouse gases.
The commitment of the cold industry to reduce the already low contribution of refrigerant gases to air pollution is clear; however, it is encountering a major stumbling block in the difficult to control illegal entry of refrigerant gases into the black markets of Europe and the United States. The fact that, as different organizations, including AEFYT, have denounced, the legislation is not aligned with the state of the art of technology is another obstacle. In Spain, the currently frozen tax on fluorinated gases is another factor that does not help technological change but the development of the opaque market.
The report points out that, on the contrary, the contribution of the five most important greenhouse gases represents around 96% of the total impact. CO2 is by far the largest contributor both in terms of quantity and rate of increase accounting for 65%; 6.4% corresponds to N2O; CH4 contributes 17%; CFCs with 11 and 12 7.5% of all emissions. It should be noted that the growing use of CO2 as a refrigerant has a GWP (Global Warming Potential) equal to zero and is exempt from F-Gas prohibitions; one of its advantages is the easy control and detection of leaks.
The remaining 4% is contributed by the 15 minor halogenated gases, which are HFC 134a, 152a, 23, 143 bis, 125, SF6, ODS (ozone-depleting substances) CFC-113, CCl4, CH3CCl3, HCFC 22, 141b and 142b, and halons 1211, 1301 and 2402.
Source: AEFYT (Association of Refrigeration Companies and their Technologies).
