Discover the 35th IIR Informatory Note on “The Impact of the Refrigeration Sector on Climate Change”
Climate change is one of the main challenges facing humanity, and the refrigeration sector – including air conditioning, heat pumps and cryogenics – must play its part in the fight to limit global warming.
In this respect, the 35th IIR Informatory Note on “The Impact of the Refrigeration Sector on Climate Change” reviews existing data to estimate past greenhouse gas emissions generated by refrigeration systems and make projections for the future.
As ascertained by the Note, the refrigeration sector is responsible for 7.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, almost two thirds of which are generated by the electricity used by refrigeration systems. This presents two challenges: reducing refrigerant emissions, notably with the application of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which enters into force on January 1, 2019, and making equipment more energy efficient while developing the use of renewable energy.
It is important to quantify emissions, because the real impact of past and future emissions often causes confusion.
Similarly, understanding and knowing the root causes as well as having an overview of the issues at stake, so that the correct measures may be implemented both at national and at international levels, is essential.
Designed to meet the needs of policymakers worldwide, a complementary Summary Sheet outlining the key issues identified in the full version of the 35th IIR Informatory Note is also available.