What Are Hydrofluorocarbons and Why Are They Banned?

A global deal has finally been reached to cap the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). It will see more than a hundred countries change their ways in the next decade, with more joining in a few years after. But what exactly are HFCs? And why are they so harmful? Read on for an introduction to them and the benefits of limiting their use.

What are HFCs?

HFCs are a chemical compound made up of carbon, hydrogen and fluorine. They’re man made and have three main uses – refrigeration, air conditioning and aerosols. So what’s the problem? They don’t actually cause any damage locally. So unlike particulate matter or nitrogen oxides, they don’t harm people exposed to them and breathing them in.

What they do harm, however, is the ozone layer. HFCs are a greenhouse gas, and so emitting them contributes to global warming. While in volume their emission rate is much lower than other gases, they’re thought to have an effect over a hundred times worse than carbon dioxide.

Big deal

The international agreement regarding HFCs was reached on Saturday 15^th October.  It will see HFC use limited over a number of years, beginning in 2019. The first to make changes will be developed countries – the US being the significant member of this category. By 2024, developing countries will be expected to begin their efforts, which includes China – currently the biggest offender when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions. Finally, countries such as India have requested a later deadline of 2028, giving them time to develop their economy before the changes.

With air conditioning becoming more commonplace, HFC use has risen sharply over the past decade. The changes, which have been described as a “monumental step forward” by US secretary of state John Kerry, could reduce global warming by half a degree Celsius over the next 80 years. But with the majority of countries waiting 8 years before changes, and some putting it off until 2028, there are criticisms that the progress will be unnecessarily halted.

Monitoring greenhouse gases

Unfortunately, tackling global warming isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ operation. There are a number of greenhouse gases, along with HFCs and carbon dioxide, and they’re notoriously complex. All things considered, it’s a pretty tough job trying to detecting and map these emissions. ‘Tools for Mapping Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Urban Environments’ looks at what technology is available to make the process simpler and more efficient – and how this technology is an important part of climate research.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons