Umweltbundesamt

Transport of refrigerated and chilled products like food is on the rise worldwide. Whether goods are transported on the road, by train or ship, the cooling temperatures must be maintained exactly. Many transport refrigeration units contain fluorinated refrigerants acting as greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These substances need to be replaced by refrigerants having less impact on the climate. read more

Substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) which deplete the ozone layer have long been subject to an international phase-down on their production and use. In 2016 the international community took its first steps to phase down another group of substances that are particularly damaging to the climate – hydrofluorocarbons (HFC). read more

Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases, i.e. partially fluorinated hydrocarbons, fully fluorinated hydrocarbons, sulphur hexafluoride and nitrogen trifluoride) are used for purposes such as refrigerants, foam blowing agents in certain foam products, and insulating gas in switchgears. Some of these substances have an extremely high Global Warming Potential. read more

Buses are eco-friendly means of transport, nevertheless their climate performance can be increased still further. Today’s mobile air conditioning systems in buses still use the refrigerant tetrafluoroethane (R134a), a greenhouse gas with a 1,430 times higher impact to the climate than carbon dioxide. There is a climate friendly alternative: Some city buses already use CO2 air conditioning systems. read more

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), which has a very high global warming potential, is used for insulation and arc interruption in switchgear. SF6 emissions have been successfully reduced thanks to a voluntary industry commitment. Alternative products to substitute SF6 in various applications are developed. read more

Commercial refrigeration units are used to keep food fresh and keep frozen products frozen, primarily in the grocery industry as well as in bars, restaurants, florists and other businesses. Some 30,000 refrigeration units were installed in German food stores in 2006, most of them direct heat exchanger units that use HFC 134a or 404A refrigerant. read more

As a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Germany is required to elaborate annual emission inventories, including for fluorinated greenhouse gases. read more

It is only recently that air conditioning has become relatively common in German buildings. The high standard of living has ramped up expectations concerning comfort and convenience in the home and particularly at the workplace, and this in turn has increased energy demand. The refrigerants used in more than 95 percent of Germany’s air conditioners strongly affect the climate. read more