Global industry network, The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) have announced a new refrigeration resolution, calling on all consumer goods companies to phase out harmful HFCs.
The resolution states that the CGF’s Board of Directors “recognises that a rapid phase down of high GWP HFCs and more sustainable management of refrigeration and systems, is necessary to meet the ambitious goal of holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2oC above pre-industrial levels, and to further pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5oC, as set out in the Paris Climate Agreement (COP21).”
The resolution focuses on four areas: markets where viable, markets where barriers to deployment exist, reducing the total equivalent environmental impact of refrigeration systems, and developing individual targets and actions plans to measure the outcomes of the first three areas.
In regards to viable markets, the resolution states that the focus on this area would involve installing new equipment that uses only natural refrigerants or alternative ultra-low GWP refrigerants.
In regards to markets where barriers to deployment exist, the resolution states that the focus on this area would involve engaging with suppliers, business partners and governments to overcome regulatory and geographical barriers to enable the purchase of new equipment that uses only natural or alternative ultra-low GWP refrigerants by 2025.
In regards to reducing the total equivalent environmental impact of refrigeration systems, the resolution states that the focus on this area would involve improving energy efficiency, optimising refrigerant charge sizes and minimising refrigerant leaks.
This resolution follows the CGF’s previous refrigeration resolution, which was approved in December 2010. The 2010 resolution stated that its focus would be on the commencement of phasing out HFC refrigerants as of 2015 and replacing them with non-HFC refrigerants where legally allowed and overcoming barriers to the adoption of climate-friendly refrigeration.
The CGF’s 2016 refrigeration resolution can be found here.