United States.
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has launched a strategic proposal aimed at reducing emissions that includes banning high global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants.
The proposal aims to reduce California's emissions to help meet its 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets. Key measures in the proposed strategy targeting HFCs include:
• Banning the sale of all virgin HFC refrigerants with a global warming potential above 2,500 from 2020, which exempts recycled or regenerated refrigerants.
• The ban on new fixed refrigeration equipment using HFCs with a global warming potential of 150 or more, starting in 2020 for non-residential and in 2021 for residential refrigerators and freezers.
• The ban on new air conditioning equipment using HFCs with a global warming potential of 750 or above, starting in 2021.
• Economic incentives for the installation of low GWP cooling systems.
• Possibility of an independent HFC phase-down plan in California, if a global agreement is not reached this year.
The proposed strategy is open for public comment and will be subject to review and consideration by the ARB board ahead of a final strategy approved later this year.
