Indicator chemicals

Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are synthetic chemicals which have high global warming potential, in some cases up to several thousand times as much as CO2. Today they are used in a number of areas, for example as refrigerants or in foams.

Owing to their high contribution to global warming, the use of these substances has been increasingly restricted in Switzerland since 2003 with the Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance, resulting in a decrease in HFC emissions. Moreover, an international agreement has been in force since 2019 (the Montreal Protocol and its 2016 extension, the Kigali Amendment), in which ratifying countries commit to phasing down their consumption of the most common HFCs by 80 to 85%. Having ratified the Kigali Amendment, Switzerland now reports its consumption data annually. These figures correspond to the indicator shown here.

The indicator refers to Switzerland's HFC consumption and its current position on the established path to phase down consumption. It quantifies a specific contribution to Switzerland's climate policy goals as well as its compliance with international commitments.

Assessment of the state
medium medium
Assessment of the trend
unsatisfactory unsatisfactory
Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2040: 331.329 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2039: 331.329 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2038: 331.329 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2037: 331.329 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2036: 441.772 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2035: 441.772 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2034: 662.658 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2033: 662.658 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2032: 662.658 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2031: 662.658 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2030: 662.658 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2029: 662.658 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2028: 1325.316 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2027: 1325.316 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2026: 1325.316 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2025: 1325.316 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2024: 1325.316 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2023: 1987.974 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2022: 1987.974 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2021: 1987.974 Phasedown schedule (Montreal Protocol) 2020: 1987.974 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2022: 1367.508 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2021: 1163.108 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2020: 1377.564 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2019: 1540.803 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2018: 1744.709 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2017: 1870.955 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2016: 1915.24 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2015: 1843.53 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2014: 1764.275 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2013: 1901.328 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2012: 2203.331 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2011: 1848.226 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2010: 1836.429 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2009: 1605.236 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2008: 1423.964 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2007: 2077.526 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2006: 1980.498 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2005: 1888.512 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2004: 1946.028 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2003: 2081.784 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2002: 1612.85 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2001: 1064.843 Consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in Switzerland 2000: 1189.409

Data for the graph: Excel
Source: FOEN
Comment

There was a sharp rise in HFC consumption ‒ and thus in HFC emissions ‒ in the 1990s because at that time HFCs were commonly used to replace the ozone-depleting substances regulated under the Montreal Protocol. This led to a shift in the emissions problem, from ozone-depleting gases to climate-warming gases. With the current state of technology, HFCs can already be avoided in many sectors (e.g. through the use of natural refrigerants in cooling systems and heat pumps). HFC consumption has therefore declined steadily since the mid-2010s.

However, HFC consumption rose again for the first time in 2022 - a result of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, according to FOEN investigations. And there are also uncertainties in the future, for example whether the boom in new heat pumps will take place in time for the next internationally agreed reduction steps with natural refrigerants. We therefore currently rate the development as "unsatisfactory".

Further efforts to substitute for HFCs will be necessary if we are to continue along the internationally agreed reduction path in the future. This applies in particular to appliance and system manufacturers, who are required to develop alternatives, but also to the operators of systems and plants, who make purchasing decisions. Regulatory changes in environmental legislation are also necessary to support the substitution process.

International comparison

Consumption data from other countries can be found in the Data Center of the Ozone Secretariat (Secretariat of the Montreal Protocol). These data are of limited value at the current time, as the commitment period has only recently begun.

Method

The data are based on importers' annual reporting to the FOEN on imported quantities of substances stable in the atmosphere (in accordance with the reporting requirements under Annex 1.5 number 7.1.1 of the Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance).

 

 
Last updated on: 29.02.2024

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