Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Emissions in China: An Inventory for 2005–2013 and Projections to 2050

Abstract

Many hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that are widely used as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (now regulated under the Montreal Protocol) are very potent greenhouse gases (GHGs). China's past and future HFC emissions are of great interest because China has emerged as a major producer and consumer of HFCs. Here, we present for the first time a comprehensive inventory estimate of China's HFC emissions during 2005-2013. Results show a rapid increase in HFC production, consumption, and emissions in China during the period and that the emissions of HFC with a relatively high global warming potential (GWP) grew faster than those with a relatively low GWP. The proportions of China's historical HFC CO2-equivalent emissions to China's CO2 emissions or global HFC CO2-equivalent emissions increased rapidly during 2005-2013. Using the "business-as-usual" (BAU) scenario, in which HFCs are used to replace a significant fraction of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in China (to date, there are no regulations on HFC uses in China), emissions of HFCs are projected to be significant components of China's and global future GHG emissions. However, potentials do exist for minimizing China's HFC emissions (for example, if regulations on HFC uses are established in China). Our findings on China's historical and projected HFC emission trajectories could also apply to other developing countries, with important implications for mitigating global GHG emissions.

Continued increase of CFC-113a (CCl<sub>3</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>) mixing ratios in the global atmosphere: emissions, occurrence and potential sources

“…The latter is consistent with our measurements from Taiwan (Section 3.2.1) and previous work has found that 145 emissions of ozone depleting substances shifted from more northerly Northern Hemisphere latitudes to more southerly Northern Hemisphere latitudes (Reeves et al, 2005;Montzka et al, 2009). This is likely due to developing countries, which are mostly located further south, having more time to phase out the use of many ODSs than developed countries (Newland et al, 2013;CTOC, 2014;Fang et al, 2016). With this emissions distribution, the modelled CFC-113a mixing ratios at Tacolneston matched closely to the observations (Figure 2).…”

“…As discussed above, eastern China or the Korean peninsula are the most likely sources of the elevated mixing ratios of CFC-113a observed in Taiwan, and the HFC industry in China has been growing rapidly in recent years (Fang et al, 2016). In China in 2013, productions of 118 Gg yr -1 of HFC-134a and 78 Gg yr -1 of HFC-125 were reported (Fang et al, 2016).…”

“…In China in 2013, productions of 118 Gg yr -1 of HFC-134a and 78 Gg yr -1 of HFC-125 were reported (Fang et al, 2016). Most industry in China is located on the eastern coast and the majority of HFC 385 manufacturers are in the three eastern provinces of Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu.…”

Continued increase of CFC-113a (CCl<sub>3</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>) mixing ratios in the global atmosphere: emissions, occurrence and potential sources

“…The latter is also consistent with previous work that has found emissions of ozone-depleting substances shifted from more northerly Northern Hemisphere latitudes to more southerly Northern Hemisphere latitudes (Reeves et al, 2005;Montzka et al, 2009). This is likely due to developing countries, which are mostly located further south, having more time to phase out the use of many ODSs than developed countries (Newland et al, 2013;CTOC, 2014;Fang et al, 2016). With this emissions distribution, the modelled CFC-113a mixing ratios at Tacolneston matched closely to the observations (Fig.…”

“…As discussed above, eastern China and the Korean Peninsula are the most likely source regions for the elevated mixing ratios of CFC-113a observed in Taiwan, and the HFC industry in China has been growing rapidly in recent years (Fang et al, 2016). In China in 2013, production rates of 118 Gg yr −1 of HFC-134a and 78 Gg yr −1 of HFC-125 were reported (Fang et al, 2016).…”