Traders smuggle potent Greenhouse Gas (GHG) to Europe: Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) Investigation

Posted 10 Apr 2024

2 min read

EIA’s report titled ‘More Chilling Than Ever’ highlighted that illegal trade in HFCs into Europe is fueled by ongoing demand for gases and high profits.

About HFCs
- HFCs are a group of compounds containing carbon, fluorine and hydrogen (unlike hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which also contain chlorine). They are colourless and odourless gases.
- HFCs contribute to 2.3% of global GHG emissions and have an average atmospheric lifetime of 15 years.
- HFCs are entirely human-made. They are primarily produced for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning, insulating foams and aerosol propellants, with minor uses as solvents and for fire protection.
- They were developed as alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and HCFCs that are being phased-out under Montreal Protocol due to their ozone depletion.

Impact of HFCs trade
- Worsens climate change.
  - In 2021, EIA estimated that CO₂equivalency of illegally traded HFCs in European Union could be nearly 30 million tonnes.
- Discourage private sector innovation in developing technologies for new substances with lower Global Warming Potential.

Efforts taken in India
- India is committed to phasing down HFCs in four steps starting from 2032, aligning with Kigali Amendment.

Kigali amendment to Montreal Protocol aims to phase-down production and consumption of HFCs.
F-gas (Fluorinated gases) Regulation by EU in 2014, to phase down HFC.
Global Cooling Pledge committed to support robust action through Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund for early action to reduce HFC consumption.

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