What the F? Why we must tackle the climate-harming gases lurking in cooling equipment

With temperature records being broken around the world on an almost daily basis, July 2023 is set to be declared by the UN’s World Meteorological Organisation as the hottest month ever recorded.

Climate change is clearly not a looming threat but is very much a lived reality for billions of people around the world – and time is fast running out for humanity to take steps to lessen its impact.

EIA’s Climate campaign has long advocated tackling the ‘low-hanging fruit’ of climate-warming emissions, specifically the phasing out or down of fluorinated gases, or F-gases.

These are a range of greenhouse gases widely used in refrigeration and air-conditioning, most notably hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

As global temperatures rise alongside income levels in the developing world, the demand for air-conditioners is set to explode.

To ensure this demand can be met without devastating climate impacts, it is vital that cooling systems are as sustainable as possible – especially when the technology to do so already exists.

To spread awareness of the threats posed by HFCs and encouraging the transition to less harmful alternatives, our Climate team has produced this series of short, informative videos on the issue.