Browsing: Hydrofluorocarbons

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are a class of man-made chemicals primarily used as refrigerants, solvents, and in the production of insulating foams. They were developed as a replacement for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which were found to be harmful to the ozone layer. Unlike their predecessors, HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer, but they are potent greenhouse gases with a high global warming potential (GWP). As a result, they significantly contribute to climate change when released into the atmosphere. International efforts, such as the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, aim to phase down the production and use of HFCs in favor of more environmentally friendly alternatives to mitigate their impact on global warming.