Global emissions of fluorinated gases
For the fluorinated gases HFCs, PFCs and SF6, the GAINS model is able to demonstrate comprehensive detail in emission estimates, which allows for deriving country-, sector- and HFC species- specific emissions from 1990 to 2050.
It is considered technically possible to substitute in principle all current use of HFCs in air conditioning, refrigeration, foams, aerosols etc., by alternative substances like ammonia or different hydrocarbons, or through the use of CO2-based technology. Also, many of these options come with improvements in energy efficiency.
The GAINS model calculates the marginal cost curve that describes the costs of the emission reduction pathway when moving between a baseline and a maximum technically feasible reduction emission level. This feature has e.g., been used to estimate the implications on costs of meeting the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol stipulating a global phase-down in the use of HFCs.
