Refrigeration in the heart of global efforts towards net-zero emissions

Concerns about the global warming impact of synthetic refrigerants date back as early as the 1970s, when studies examined the environmental impact of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and the CFC ozone depletion hypothesis was first established. This led to the signature of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987. Through its various amendments and universal ratification, CFCs and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) have now been virtually eliminated from new refrigeration and air-conditioning systems ^[1].

 

Adopted in 2016, the implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol contributes to reducing direct GHG emissions by gradually phasing out the global production and consumption of HFCs. According to the IIR, the global phase-down of HFCs could help prevent a 0.1 °C–0.3 °C increase in average global temperatures by 2100 ^[2].

Following reductions of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), under the Montreal Protocol, signs of ozone recovery have been reported, suggesting that the ozone hole seems to be shrinking every year (see our previous article).

 

The history of these climate-related efforts has been summarised by IIR STC member Lambert Kujpers, who further comments on how the refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump (RACHP) sector can achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 ^[3].

 

According to Kujpers, the RACHP sector should prioritise the following actions to cut down emissions:

• Reducing cooling or heating demand by strategically operating RACHP in “its temperature environment”: through building efficiency, passive measures, installation practices, temperature settings, or innovative ways of dealing separately with humidity and air-conditioning temperature controls;
• Increasing the energy efficiency of RACHP operations through component selection and adaptation to seasons in order to maximise performance;
• Integrating all renewable (or at least carbon neutral) energy sources;
• Optimising or appropriately considering investments to enable the implementation of items (1) to (3).

 

Kujpers underlines the importance of large district cooling and heating plants, as they support an overall reduction of demand through system approaches (building design, architecture, municipalities, etc.).

He believes that a sustainable RACHP sector can be pivotal in achieving global efforts towards net-zero emissions, particularly since heat pumps are the most efficient technology to replace fossil-based technologies for heat production, given their adequate renewable capacities.

 

The IIR confirms that addressing refrigeration emissions plays a key role in global efforts to meet the Paris Agreement’s goals of limiting the global average temperature rise to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, and of pursuing efforts to keep it under 1.5 °C ^[2].

 

Undoubtedly, funding must be addressed, since about USD 15-20 trillion is estimated to be needed for a transition towards near-zero emissions, especially in many developing countries.

 

For more information, the complete paper was presented as a plenary during the 26^th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration, held in Paris, France in 2023.

Download the paper on FRIDOC

 

 

Sources

[1] IIR, 2025. Natural refrigerants in Africa http://dx.doi.org/10.18462/iir.sophia.policybrief.natural.refrigerant.africa

[2] IIR, 2025. The Role of Refrigeration in the Global Economy 3^rd edition, 60^th IIR Technical Brief on Refrigeration Technologies. International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), Paris. http://dx.doi.org/10.18462/iir.TechBrief.04.2025

[3] Kuijpers L. J. M., 2023. From past to present: a net-zero framework with various hurdles and opportunities for RACHP. Proceedings of the 26^th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration: Paris, France, August 21-25, 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.18462/iir.icr.2023.1160