Nations Tackle the Most Potent Greenhouse Gases: F-Gases

The article discusses the four main types of fluorinated gases—HFCs, PFCs, SF6, and NF3—which are potent greenhouse gases used in refrigeration and industrial manufacturing. It highlights the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and the U.S. AIM Act as primary mechanisms for phasing down HFCs, while noting the need for sustainable alternatives like natural refrigerants and improved leak detection and destruction facilities.

• Fluorinated gases (F-gases) consist of four main categories: hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). These substances are significantly more potent than carbon dioxide and can persist in the atmosphere for centuries; for instance, HFCs can remain for up to 270 years, while PFCs can last between 2,600 to 50,000 years.
• The United States is implementing a phasedown of HFCs through the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. The AIM Act specifically mandates an 85 percent reduction in HFC use from current levels by 2036.
• A significant portion of refrigerant greenhouse gas emissions, nearly 90 percent, occurs due to end-of-life leaking. Mitigation strategies include the use of sophisticated leak detection systems, the expansion of destruction facilities for safe disposal, and the use of reclaimed, non-virgin HFCs.
• Sustainable alternatives to HFCs include natural refrigerants such as ammonia gas, hydrocarbons (like propane or butane), and CO2. The U.S. EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program supports private companies in developing these substitutes.
• International regulatory efforts vary, with the European Union implementing bans on F-gases in many new products since 2015 and proposing further regulations in 2022 to reduce HFC quotas and align with the Montreal Protocol. Canada has listed PFCs as a toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

APA

Solis, N., & Brind’Amour, M. (2023). Nations Tackle the Most Potent Greenhouse Gases: F-Gases. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/nations-tackle-the-most-potent-greenhouse-gasesf-gases

Chicago

Solis, Nick, and Molly Brind’Amour. Nations Tackle the Most Potent Greenhouse Gases: F-Gases. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2023. https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/nations-tackle-the-most-potent-greenhouse-gasesf-gases.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Solis |first1=Nick |last2=Brind’Amour |first2=Molly |title=Nations Tackle the Most Potent Greenhouse Gases: F-Gases |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=10 January 2023 |url=https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/nations-tackle-the-most-potent-greenhouse-gasesf-gases |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{solis2023nations, author = {Solis, Nick and Brind’Amour, Molly}, title = {{Nations Tackle the Most Potent Greenhouse Gases: F-Gases}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2023}, month = jan, url = {https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/nations-tackle-the-most-potent-greenhouse-gasesf-gases}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }