New research has revealed factories globally are not properly destroying one of the most potent greenhouse gases emitted from the production of fluoropolymers like Teflon and refrigerants.
The study investigated a known disparity between real and reported emissions of this gas, prompting calls for more countries to sign up to official agreements to limit emissions and for their Teflon factories to be independently audited to ensure compliance.
The research, published in the journal Nature, scrutinised emissions of one of the most potent hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) greenhouse gases – trifluoromethane, also known as HFC-23.
Its main source is as a by-product in the industrial production of certain refrigerants and Teflon, which is used in products such as nonstick cookware.
More than 150 countries have pledged to significantly reduce their HFC-23 emissions as part of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
Since 2020, all Teflon manufacturers have been obliged to destroy the strong greenhouse gas.
According to the reports of the individual countries producing these products, this is happening.
On paper the global annual emissions of HFC-23 were only 2,000 tonnes in 2020 but the actual global emissions, shown in numerous studies, uncover a different picture.
In 2020 alone, around 16,000 tonnes of the greenhouse gas were previously found to be released into the atmosphere.
To unravel this discrepancy, researchers from the University of Bristol in the UK, Empa in Switzerland and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research compared HFC-23 levels reported by individual countries with actual levels emitted from a Teflon factory in the Netherlands.
To record the emissions as comprehensively and accurately as possible, a novel technique was used.
This involved releasing a tracer directly next to the factory: a non-toxic gas that does not occur in the atmosphere and decomposes within a few weeks.
At a distance of around 25 kilometres, they then measured the concentrations of HFC-23 and other by-products of Teflon manufacture – and also the concentration of the tracer.
‘Since we knew exactly how much tracer we had released and how much of it arrived at the measuring point, we were able to calculate the emissions of HFC-23 and other gases.’
DR DOMINIQUE RUST
First author and a Research Associate at the University of Bristol
Results showed that even though estimated emissions are higher than those reported by the factory, measures to curb HFC-23 levels are largely effective.
The findings indicated that if all factories globally were controlling emissions in the same way as the one studied, HFC-23 emissions could be cut by around 85%.
This reduction equates to almost one fifth (17%) of carbon dioxide emissions generated by all aviation traffic.
‘We suspect higher actual readings in the global atmosphere are explained by some countries underreporting emissions, resulting in this disconnect. One explanation is that abatement technologies aren’t as effectively implemented globally as at the factory we investigated.’
DR MARTIN VOLLMER
Co-author and researcher at Empa
The researchers are calling for factories to be independently audited. This independent verification of greenhouse gas emissions from the production of fluoropolymers and refrigerants would help close gaps in understanding the emission sources and check that countries are fully compliant under different international climate and environment agreements.
‘Studies like this can help us to independently verify reported declines in emissions from fluorochemical plants and ensure that countries are reaching their obligations under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
‘These results are therefore really encouraging and show that abatement of emissions from fluorochemical plants producing fluoropolymers like Teflon can significantly reduce emissions of a highly potent greenhouse gas.’DR KIERAN STANLEY
Co-author and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bristol
The researchers are now planning another study in South Korea in October which will involve using the tracer method to determine the emissions of other halogenated substances in the capital city Seoul.
Gas and nuclear projects labelled sustainable investments under proposed EU energy policy.
Wave of net zero emissions goals not matched by action on the ground, finds Carbon Action Tracker.
New 14-country assessment reveals missed opportunity to cut at least one-fifth of emissions needed to avoid catastrophic climate change.
New IPCC report says we can halve emissions by 2030 – but the evidence is clear: we must act now.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Weekly ethical news, offers, comps and a free digital mag (quarterly) – what’s not to love?
