Fluorosüsivesinikke

Fluorosüsivesinikke, also known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are a group of synthetic organic compounds containing fluorine and carbon atoms. They are a subclass of organofluorine compounds. HFCs are often used as refrigerants, propellants, solvents, and fire retardants. They were developed as replacements for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) because they do not deplete the ozone layer.

However, HFCs are potent greenhouse gases. While they do not persist in the atmosphere as long as some other greenhouse gases, their high global warming potentials (GWPs) mean that even small emissions can contribute significantly to climate change. The GWP of an HFC is a measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere over a specific time period, relative to carbon dioxide. Some HFCs have GWPs thousands of times higher than that of carbon dioxide.

Due to their significant climate impact, there is a global effort to phase down the production and consumption of HFCs. International agreements, such as the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, aim to reduce HFC emissions by replacing them with alternatives that have lower GWPs and are more environmentally friendly. These alternatives include hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) and natural refrigerants like propane and carbon dioxide. The transition to these lower-GWP alternatives is a key strategy in mitigating climate change.