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Ozone depleting substances and the greenhouse gases HFCs, PFCs and SF₆

1 Summary and Conclusions

1.1 Ozone-depleting Substances

The ODP-weighted consumption for 2001 has been calculated at 83.9 OPD tonnes, showing a slight increase of 1.26 OPD tonnes on 2000 levels, which measured 83.9 ODP tonnes. This increase is due to a greater consumption of HCFC-141b. The consumption of other ozone-depleting substances is roughly the same as in 2000.

Analysis of individual substances in the ODP consumption for 2001shows that the contribution is mainly due to HCFC-141b and HCFC-22.

The table below shows the ODP-weighted consumption calculated on the basis of information on imports from Statistics Denmark, importers, and producers. The ODP values are listed in Appendix 1, Table 1.a.

Table 1.
Overview of consumption and ODP-weighted consumption in 2000-2001, tonnes

Consumption of methylbromide has been stated in brackets and it is only used as feedstock for other chemical production. Therefore it is not included as an emission.

CFCs, tetrachloromethane, and trichloroethane are used exclusively for laboratory purposes. HCFCs are used as refrigerants in cooling or for foam production. The range of application of HCFCs in 2001 is shown in Table 1.2.

Table 2
Consumption distribution of HCFC application areas in 2001, tonnes.

HCFC-22 is used as a refrigerant, and HCFC-141b and HCFC-142b are used for foam.

Figure 1.1 shows the development of ODP-weighted consumption.

Figure 1.1
The development of ODP consumption 1986-2001, tonnes.

The specific consumption figures for individual groups of substances and the ODP-weighted contribution for the period 1986-2001 are shown in Table 3.1.

1.2 Greenhouse gases

The GWP-weighted actual emission for HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆ in 2001 measures approx. 698,900 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. In 2000, the equivalent emission was approx. 793,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents (818,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents using a previous method of calculation), which corresponds to an overall reduction of approx. 94,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. This is the first time a reduction has been seen in the actual emissions of strong greenhouse gases in Denmark.

The emission of HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆ in 2001 accounted for less than 1% of the total Danish GWP contribution /18/.

In Table 1.3 below actual emissions and stock from products are summarised after making adjustments for any import and export of substances in products.

Table 3
Consumption, actual emission, stock, adjusted for import/export as well as GWP-emissions 2001, tonnes.

In Figure 1.2 below the total GWP-weighted emission from HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆ is shown in relation to source. The figure shows which applications are responsible for the greatest individual emissions in 2001.

Figure 1.2
GWP contribution in % from HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆ by source.

The figure shows that emissions from refrigerants used in commercial stationary refrigerators account for the largest GWP contribution. Such refrigerators make up 54% of the total actual contribution in 2001. The contribution is primarily due to HFCs, and to a lesser degree PFCs.

The second largest GWP contribution, measuring 17.8%, comes from the continuing emission of HFC from the insulating foam in fridges and freezers.

10.3% of the GWP contribution derives from HFC emission in the production of soft foam and the use of aerosol sprays employing HFC.

The primary sources of SF₆ emission in 2001 are from power switches, accounting for about 1.8% of the total GWP contribution.

HFCs comprise approx. 92% of the total GWP contribution. The emission of SF₆ makes up 4.5% and the emission of PFC contributes 3.5% to the total contribution. Compared to the level in 2000, the relative proportion of HFC emissions has risen. The relative distribution of the emissions is shown in the figure below.

Figure 1.3
The relative distribution of the GWP contribution from HFCs, PFCs, and SF_6, 2001.

1.2.1 HFCs

The total consumption of HFCs measures 676 tonnes in 2001, which is a significant reduction, compared to the consumption of approx. 1,027 tonnes in 2000. In general, the consumption of all HFCs has decreased.

The total GWP contribution from HFCs is approx. 646,400 tonnes CO₂ equivalents, which is a reduction of roughly 24,400 tonnes (calculated according to the new method) compared to the GWP contribution in 2000.

1.2.2 Sulphurhexafluoride (SF₆)

The consumption of sulphurhexafluoride was 4.7 tonnes in 2001, which represents a drop in consumption when compared to 4.3 tonnes in 2001. The decrease is due to a considerable reduction in the use of SF₆ for sealed glazing units for windowpanes.

The actual emission has been calculated as 1.3 tonnes, equivalent to a GWP contribution of 30,400 tonnes CO₂ equivalents. This is a 50 % reduction compared to 2000 when the contribution was approx. 59,200 tonnes CO₂ equivalents.

1.2.3 Perfluorinated hydrocarbons (PFCs)

The consumption of perfluorinated hydrocarbons (perfluoropropane) measured almost 3.7 tonnes in 2000 and the emission has been determined at approx. 3.1 tonnes, which derives from the filling and continuing emission of refrigerants - approx. 2.6 tonnes, partly from the use of PFC detergent for electronics - approx. 0.5 tonnes (perfluoropropane).

The actual GWP-weighted emission is 22,100 tonnes CO₂-equivalents which is a slight reduction compared with 2000.

1.2.4 Trends in the total GWP-weighted contribution of strong greenhouse gases

Figure 1.4 shows the trend in the Danish GWP contribution in 1992-2001 from HFCs, PFCs, and SF₆. The relative difference in the determination of the total GWP value, derived from the present and earlier calculation methods, is illustrated in the figure.

Figure 1.4
The change in the GWP-weighted potential, actual, and new actual emission 1992-2000, ’000 tonnes CO₂ equivalents.

The figure shows that for the year 2001 a reduction in the total GWP contribution can be seen for the first time.

The trend in the GWP contribution 1992-2001 can also be seen in table 1.4 below.

Table 1.4
Total GWP-contribution from HFC, PFC, SF₆ 000 tonnes CO₂ eq. The total GWP-contribution has been determined using four different methods during this period.¹