Emissions
of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)
CC-4
Climate
Change
Pressure
1 Indicator
definition and unit of measurement
Total
emissions of CFCs. Emissions of individual CFCs are multiplied by their Global
Warming Potential
[10]
and added together. The unit of measurement is tonnes of CO
2
per year, since CFC emissions are expressed in Global Warming Potentials (CO
2
is reference).
2 Placement
in the framework
5EAP:
Chapter
5: The themes and targets of the programme, section 5.1: Climate change.
Agenda
21:
Chapter
9: Protection of the atmosphere, section 2: Conservation and management of
resources for development.
International
conventions and agreements:
The
Montreal protocol (1987) and its amendments and adjustments (London, 1990;
Copenhagen, 1992 and Vienna, 1995). CFCs are not included in the UNFCCC (New
York, 1992), since these are covered in the Montreal protocol.
Ranking:
Core
ranking:
4
(33%)
Policy
Relevance:
4
(2.9)
Analytical
Soundness:
4
(3 )
Responsiveness:
1
(2.9)
Most
appropriate related state indicator:
Atmospheric
concentrations of CFCs, global temperature.
3 Significance
Purpose:
Emissions
of CFCs increased rapidly until the early 1990s, but levels of key CFCs have
since stabilised due to tough emission controls introduced under the Montreal
Protocol to protect the stratospheric ozone layer. The main purpose of this
indicator is to monitor total CFC emissions.
Relevance:
Although
total emissions of CFCs are relatively small, they have a very large radiative
forcing capacity.
See
also 3. Relevance of the Methodology sheet for CO
2
in this section, and for CFCs in the Ozone Depletion section.
Linkages
to other pressure indicators:
The
indicator is linked to the indicators of other greenhouse gases. Furthermore,
CFCs are among the most important ozone depleting substances, see the
methodology sheet for CFCs in the Ozone Depletion section (OD-2). Moreover,
ozone is also a greenhouse gas, and therefore changes in stratospheric ozone
should be considered in assessing climate change.
Targets:
Since
1. January 1996, industrialised countries have been obliged to completely
phase-out CFCs (zero production and consumption; with possible exemption for
essential uses). In order to satisfy the basic domestic needs of developing
countries production may exceed by up to 15% of its production level in 1986
(Annex A substances
[11])
or 1989 (Annex B substances
[12]). 4 Methodological
description and underlying definitions
Underlying
definitions and concepts:
CFCs
are human-made compounds, and almost exclusively used as fire extinguishing
agents. Good alternatives with smaller or no effects on the ozone layer are
available, although alternatives such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have large Global Warming Potentials.
CFCs
and HCFCs strongly absorb infrared radiation (a direct cooling effect) and also
destroy ozone in the lower atmosphere, which is an indirect cooling effect
since ozone is a strong greenhouse gas. The direct warming effects are larger
than the indirect cooling effects.
Measurement
methods:
Emissions
can be estimated based on the accounting of annual net consumption.
Limitations
of the indicator:
Besides
CFCs, other ozone depleting substances and their alternatives have large Global
Warming Potentials. Moreover, not all Global Warming Potentials are known.
Alternative
definitions:
An
aggregated indicator including the most important ozone depleting substances
and their alternatives, based on their Global Warming Potentials.
A
number of indicators for the most important ozone depleting substances and
their alternatives.
[10] Assuming
a 100 years time horizon (IPCC second assessment report, 1996):
CFC-11:
GWP =
3800;
or 540-2100 if indirect cooling effects are taken into account
CFC-12:
GWP = 8100; or 6200-7100 if indirect cooling effects are taken into account
CFC-113:
GWP = 4800; or 2600-3600 if indirect cooling effects are taken into account
[11]
CFCs
included in Annex A to the Montreal protocol include CFC-11, 12, 113, 114 and
115.
[12]
CFCs
included in Annex B to the Montreal protocol include CFC-13, 111, 112, and 211
up to and including 217.
