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The Importance of Lifecycle Refrigerant Management in Climate and Ozone Protection

Author

Listed:
  • Pallav Purohit

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria)

  • Tilden Chao

    (Carbon Containment Lab, Yale School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA)

  • Rick Cooke

    (Man-West Environmental Group, Crowsnest Pass, AB T0K0M0, Canada)

  • Hilde Dhont

    (Daikin Europe, 8400 Oostende, Belgium)

  • Richie Kaur

    (Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), New York, NY 10011, USA)

  • Roberto Peixoto

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia, São Paulo 09580-900, Brazil)

  • Helen Walter-Terrinoni

    (Global Climate Policy, Trane Technologies, Davidson, NC 28036, USA)

  • Ashley Woodcock

    (Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester M23 9LT, UK)

Abstract

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps (RACHP), and various other applications such as aerosols, fire extinguishers, foams, and solvents. Initially, HFCs were adopted as the primary substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) regulated under the Montreal Protocol. However, many HFCs are potent greenhouse gases, and as such subject to a global phasedown under the provisions of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Managing the refrigerant bank of ODSs and HFCs throughout the equipment’s lifecycle—referred to as Lifecycle Refrigerant Management (LRM)—presents a significant challenge but also a significant climate action opportunity. LRM includes the leak prevention, recovery, recycling, reclamation, and destruction (RRRD) of refrigerants. This study employed the GAINS modeling framework to assess the ozone and climate benefits of LRM. The findings indicated that implementing robust LRM practices during the use and end-of-life stages of RACHP equipment could reduce ODS emissions by approximately 5 kt ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) between 2025 and 2040, and HFC and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) emissions by about 39 Gt CO 2 e between 2025 and 2050. The implementation of robust LRM measures in conjunction with the ongoing phasedown of HFCs under the Kigali Amendment can yield substantial additional climate benefits beyond those anticipated from the HFC phasedown alone.

Suggested Citation

  • Pallav Purohit & Tilden Chao & Rick Cooke & Hilde Dhont & Richie Kaur & Roberto Peixoto & Helen Walter-Terrinoni & Ashley Woodcock, 2024. "The Importance of Lifecycle Refrigerant Management in Climate and Ozone Protection," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2024:i:1:p:53-:d:1553171
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chua, K.J. & Chou, S.K. & Yang, W.M. & Yan, J., 2013. "Achieving better energy-efficient air conditioning – A review of technologies and strategies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 87-104.
    2. Paul J. Young & Anna B. Harper & Chris Huntingford & Nigel D. Paul & Olaf Morgenstern & Paul A. Newman & Luke D. Oman & Sasha Madronich & Rolando R. Garcia, 2021. "The Montreal Protocol protects the terrestrial carbon sink," Nature, Nature, vol. 596(7872), pages 384-388, August.
    3. Höglund-Isaksson, Lena & Purohit, Pallav & Amann, Markus & Bertok, Imrich & Rafaj, Peter & Schöpp, Wolfgang & Borken-Kleefeld, Jens, 2017. "Cost estimates of the Kigali Amendment to phase-down hydrofluorocarbons," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 138-147.
    4. Xu Wang & Pallav Purohit, 2022. "Transitioning to low-GWP alternatives with enhanced energy efficiency in cooling non-residential buildings of China," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 27(7), pages 1-28, October.
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