Corporations agree to cut use of HFCs

A week before world leaders will discuss how to slow the increase of dangerous gases in the atmosphere, the Obama administration announced that it has reached agreements with a range of major companies to voluntarily phase out a class of chemicals, used in refrigerators and air conditioners, and seen as contributors to global warming.

The chemicals, called hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs, became the popular alternative to the refrigerant, Freon, banned in the 1990s as a danger to the planet’s ozone layer. The HFCs do not harm the Earth’s ozone layer, but the gases are considered a major force in climate change – up to 10,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide, according to the White House.

Without any action by industry and government, HFC emissions are expected to nearly double by 2020 and triple by 2030.

According to the administration, the steps announced on Tuesday are designed to reduce HFCs, especially R-134a, causing a drop in greenhouse gases by 1.5 percent from 2010 levels. That is the equivalent of removing about 15 million vehicles from U.S. highways.

Companies including the chemical manufacturer DuPont and some of the biggest users of refrigerants such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Red Bull have voluntarily agreed to take steps to cut their use of HFCs. Also included are important retailers such as Target and Kroger.

The announced corporate commitments cover the gamut from where the chemicals are produced to how they have an impact on consumers’ actions.

Also among those agreeing to take steps to cut HFCs was the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy, a coalition of chemical manufacturers representing 95 percent of U.S. production of HFCs, according to the White House. The alliance also announced its members will seek to reduce global HFC greenhouse gas contribution by 80 percent by 2050.