Next-gen tech to replace HFCs

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, September 16

The Environment Ministry has initiated a collaborative indigenous programme to develop next-generation sustainable refrigerant technologies as alternatives to harmful hydroflourocarbons (HFCs) or the “super greenhouse gases” used in refrigeration and air-conditioning.

HFCs are called super greenhouse gases as their increasing use and high global warming potential is said to be undercutting the benefits accrued from the reduction of other greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide.

As per the ministry, the R&D initiative brings together the government, research institutes, industry and civil society to develop long-term technology solutions to mitigate impact of currently used refrigerant gases on the ozone layer and climate. Multiple rounds of consultation to reach a consensus on the contours and decide on the roadmap for this initiative have already been held, officials say.

India has a small carbon footprint at citizen level and its sustainable lifestyle results in low contribution of the country to overall emissions of GHGs and ozone-depleting substances, as compared to other developed countries.

However, there is an urgent need to develop new technologies indigenously as alternatives available today are patented apart from being expensive, officials say.

A research-based programme to look for cost-effective alternatives to the currently used refrigerant gases is, therefore, essential.