Ozone-depleting substances and substitutes, global use, 1980-2000

Developments relating to CFCs and halons

The worldwide production and use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons fell sharply between the end of the 1980s and 1997 (AFEAS, 2001). However, after 1997, the production of chlorofluorocarbons remained virtually constant at 15% of the level in the peak year of 1988.
Large volumes of chlorofluorocarbons are stored around the world in products (cooling systems, insulation systems). Annually, some of the cooling or insulation agent leaks from these systems and this leads to emissions are still higher than use levels. The recovery or destruction of chlorofluorocarbons and halons from existing appliances could considerably reduce the volume of these emissions.

Developments in chlorofluorocarbon substitutes

Remarkably, the worldwide use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which can be temporarily used as substitutes, has remained constant since 1997. By contrast, the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) has been growing by about 20% per year since 1996. They have no effect on ozone but do contribute to the greenhouse effect.
Chlorofluorocarbons and halons are also being replaced by perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆). However, these are substances that are not used solely as substitutes for chlorofluorocarbons or halons.

Policy

International policy aims to restrict or stop the production and use of ozone-depleting substances. A large number of countries have signed the Montreal Protocol and therefore undertaken to use no more chlorofluorocarbons from 1996 onwards (from 2010 onwards in developing countries).

Relevance

Nitrogen, chlorine and bromine compounds reduce the concentration of ozone in the stratosphere. The ozone layer prevents high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the earth.

Technical note

The figure shows physical production/amounts consumed. The potential effect of chlorofluorocarbons and other substances on the depletion of the ozone layer is expressed in CFC-11 (trichlorofluoromethane, CFCl₃) equivalents using Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP). This figure is a measure of the relative ozone depletion capacity of 1 kg of a substance compared to 1 kg of CFC-11. The ODPs of other chlorofluorocarbons are approximately 1; the ODP for halons is between 3 and 10 and the ODP for hydrochlorofluorocarbons is about 0.1. The ODP factor for hydrofluorocarbons is 0 because these substances have no effect on ozone.

References

• AFEAS (2002). Production, sales and atmospheric release of fluorocarbons through 2000. Alternative Fluorcoarbons Environmental Acceptability Study (AFEAS) Program Office, Washington DC, USA.
• Olivier, J.G.J. and J. Bakker (2000). Historical global emission trends of the Kyoto gases HFCs, PFCs and SF6. Proceedings of "Conference on SF6 and the Environment: Emission Reduction Strategies", November 2-3, San Diego. EPA, Washington DC, USA.
• Smythe, K.D. (2000). Production and Distribution of SF6 by End-Use Application. Proceedings of "Conference on SF6 and the Environment: Emission Reduction Strategies", November 2-3, San Diego. EPA, Washington DC, USA.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Depletion of the ozone layer: introduction
• Depletion of the ozone layer: policy
• Sales and emissions in the Netherlands of CFCs and halons, 1980-2002
• See the 'global air quality' index for data about the concentration in the atmosphere of substances that affect the ozone layer and for information about the condition of the ozone layer.
• Overview of environment-related health risks in the Netherlands
• Additional risk in the Netherlands of skin cancer due to increase in UV radiation, 1980-2000

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

• An extensive reference database - 'EDGAR 3' with global emissions of greenhouse gases by country for the period 1970-1995 - can be found on the website of the RIVM.
• Statistics about the global production and sales of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) for the period up to and including 2000, compiled on the basis of information provided by most producers of these substances, can be found on the Alternative Fluorocarbons Environmental Acceptability Study website.
• International statistics with the official figures for the production and consumption by country of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons during the period 1986-2000 can be found on the website of the Ozone Secretariat of the UN Environment Agency, which collects data about the implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
• Information about the emissions of HFCs reported officially by countries can be found on the website of the UN Climate Secretariat.
• Information about future global developments can be found in the Global Environmental Outlook 3, on which RIVM also collaborated.