Report on the alternatives to hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) in Italy

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are refrigerating gases that entered the market at the end of the 1980s, replacing Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) substances which are dangerous to stratospheric ozone. HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer, but they are powerful greenhouse gases. The increase in the use of HFCs has resulted in the exponential growth in global emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases over the past two decades, hence the urgent need to replace them with alternative substances that have no or negligible climate impact. Also in order to guarantee an adaptation to international policies, today more than ever, it is necessary to outline a picture of the state of the art in Italy of HFCs used and identify substances and/or alternative technologies, critical aspects, future prospects and opportunities for the sectors concerned (refrigeration, air conditioning, foams, aerosols and fixed fire protection). For this reason, the Ministry of the Environment, Land and Sea has signed a technical collaboration agreement with ISPRA which has drawn up a study on alternatives to HFCs in Italy.

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