The HFC refrigerants currently in use are also greenhouse gases with a very high global warming potential (GWP). They are used primarily in refrigeration, air conditioning, insulating foams and aerosols, with smaller applications as solvents and in fire protection.
They are also the only greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol that do not occur naturally but are produced by humans. One kilogram of commonly used refrigerants such as R404A or R507A has more than 3,900 times the climate impact of an equivalent quantity of carbon dioxide. This is why responsible handling of fluorinated gases (F-gases) is so important — including their use only by qualified personnel, the prevention of leaks, and the proper management of refrigerants recovered from equipment.
HFCs were introduced to replace ozone-depleting substances and to meet the growing demand for refrigerants.
Chart showing the percentage breakdown of global refrigerant applications
Although HFCs currently account for approximately 2% of all greenhouse gases, their global warming impact can be hundreds to thousands of times greater than that of carbon dioxide (CO2) per unit of mass.
The LEGAL HFC 4 LIFE project aims to reduce illegal HFC emissions, thereby contributing positively to the challenge of ongoing climate change.
The most common HFCs (404A and 507C) warm the planet 3,790 times more than CO₂ (GWP coefficient)
The average atmospheric lifetime of HFCs is 15 years
All HFCs are human-made and used in refrigeration and cooling equipment
HFC usage is growing by more than 10% per year
The European Green Deal, launched in 2019, is the EU’s new growth strategy aimed at transforming the EU into a climate-neutral society by 2050. Part of this plan is the reduction of emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases, which are particularly harmful to the climate. EU Regulation No. 517/2014 contributed to reducing emissions of these gases; however, further action is needed, such as the phase-down of HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) in accordance with international commitments under the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment.
The European Union has also set more ambitious climate targets, aiming for a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. Fluorinated greenhouse gases are highly persistent and harmful to human health and the environment, which is why the use of alternative solutions is recommended. Regulations concerning these gases aim, among other things, to limit leaks, control emissions, and implement recovery and recycling systems in the context of the circular economy.
Regulation (EU) 2024/573 aims to improve the monitoring and control of trade in fluorinated greenhouse gases and to reduce their emissions, in order to protect the environment and support the achievement of climate objectives. The new provisions include, among other things, a tightened schedule for the phase-down of HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), the introduction of a ban on the sale of F-gases in single-use containers, and higher penalties for non-compliance.