WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) released a new report that aims to serve as a resource for U.S. officials and procurement officers to incorporate HFC-free procurement into existing policies and programs to mitigate federal emissions of HFCs, a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) also known as hydrofluorocarbons. The report, “An Initial Guide to HFC-free Procurement and Refrigerant Management for the U.S. Government,” will assist federal agencies to successfully comply with President Obama’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) and other Executive Orders.
Last month, federal agencies took an important step in implementing the CAP and other executive actions. Several agencies jointly released a proposal to amend federal procurement guidelines to reduce federal purchase of products containing HFCs and to increase acquisition of available climate-friendly alternatives, such as those described in EIA’s new report.
“The phase-out of HFCs provides a real opportunity to mitigate climate change. The U.S. is taking a tangible step toward meeting its greenhouse gas reduction commitment, especially if new HFC-free procurement policies are implemented quickly and effectively,” said Lisa Handy, EIA Senior Policy Advisor. “This report provides some initial tools and guidelines for agencies to create and implement robust HFC-free procurement policies that maximize emission reductions and energy efficiency gains.”
HFCs, used mainly in refrigeration, air conditioning, and foam products, are some of the fastest growing sources of GHG emissions globally. Currently making up 2.7 percent of U.S. emissions , these gases could grow to contribute up to 19 percent of global emissions under a business as usual scenario given mounting worldwide demand for air conditioning and refrigeration. With climate-friendly and energy efficient HFC-free alternatives available, these emissions can be avoided if industries begin to transition to those alternatives now.
“This leadership by the U.S. government to purchase HFC-free products comes at a critical time,” said Mark W. Roberts, EIA International Policy Advisor. “Not only will federal procurement spur growth for HFC-free alternatives in the U.S. and global market, it will also positively influence the ongoing progress towards negotiating a global HFC phase-down.”
At the Montreal Protocol, negotiations have begun to take shape to achieve an amendment to phase down HFCs, which if successful, could avoid up to 0.5o Celsius warming by the end of the century.
More information and a link to EIA’s report on HFC-free procurement is [available here].
Contact:
Maggie Dewane, Communications and Press Officer, +1 (202) 483-6621, mdewane@eia-global.org