IN BRIEF: globalFACT WEBSITE FOR A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON HFCs AND HFOs
The EU is setting the standard for the phase-down of HFCs, moving more rapidly than required by the Kigali Amendment (see EEA 2019 Emissions and supply of fluorinated greenhouse gases in Europe), leading to the introduction of a wide range of lower GWP fluorocarbon refrigerants, foam blowing agents and propellants. Our fluorocarbons.org website reflects these advances in the EU, but more generally applicable information is needed for a global perspective. GlobalFACT* and its website provides a valuable forum for resources reflecting the diverse situations across the world for the phase-down of HFCs and the introduction of low GWP technologies including those based on HFOs.
As an example, the GlobalFACT resources section has a December 2019 paper by Dr. Karim Amrane, previously a Senior Vice President at the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), is an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, and consults on alternative refrigerants and energy efficiency. The paper gives an American perspective on reducing the carbon footprint of commercial refrigeration equipment. From the summary “Energy efficiency improvements, maintenance, product monitoring are all cost effective measures proven to significantly reduce the energy consumption of the equipment. The retrofit of existing commercial refrigeration systems with low-GWP HFCs and HFO/HFC blends presents a unique opportunity to quickly and cost-effectively decrease direct and indirect emissions. These energy saving measures together with the GWP of the refrigerant should be considered to reduce the carbon footprint of commercial refrigeration products.”
* The Global Forum for Advanced Climate Technologies (globalFACT) promotes education, awareness, and policies that support the important role of new-generation, low- and reduced-global warming potential (GWP) advanced climate technologies in protecting the environment, while meeting the rapidly increasing demand for safe alternatives.