Today we will be talking about China’s efforts to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCS), a class of refrigerant with huge impacts on the climate. Our guest today is an expert on the topic, Prof Hu Jianxin. Professor Hu holds bachelor's and masters degrees in Chemistry from Peking University. He has been on the faculty at Peking University since 1986, and is currently professor at the College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, and also the Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Peking University. He has published numerous academic studies of HFCs, focusing on potential emissions reductions pathways as well as the cost of mitigation in various sectors. He was involved in the negotiations leading up to the Kigali Amendment as well as several other international agreements.
Topics addressed in this episode:
For further reading:
Fuli Bai et al., “Pathway and Cost-Benefit Analysis to Achieve China's Zero Hydrofluorocarbon Emissions,” Environmental Science and Technology 57(16), April 2023, at https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c00166.
Liya Guo et al., "Projected increases in emissions of high global warming potential fluorinated gases in China" Communications Earth & Environment, June 2023, at htttps://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-00859-6.
Lisha Liu et al., “Historical and projected HFC-410A emission from room air conditioning sector in China,” May 2019Atmospheric Environment 212(4), May 2019, at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2019.05.022.
Feng Hao, "Chinese manufacturers under pressure to phase out HFCs," China Dialogue, 28 November 2016, at https://chinadialogue.net/en/pollution/9426-chinese-manufacturers-under-pressure-to-phase-out-hfcs/.
Some useful acronyms:
HFCs: Hydrofluorocarbons (replacement for CFCs but a dangerous greenhouse gas and hence targeted for reduction under the Kigali Amendment)
HCFCs: hydrochlorofluorocarbons (an ozone-depleting refrigerant)
CFCs: Chlorofluorocarbons (ozone-depleting refrigerant phased out by the original Montreal Protocol)
HFOs: Hydrofluoolefins (current and future substitute for HFCs)
UNEP: United Nations Environment Programme, pronounced "you-nep"
EPA: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Young Professionals in Sustainability: Ruixin Li (in Chinese)
Energy and AI: with Anders Hove of BEN and OIES
Young Professionals in Sustainability - Zhinan Chen, RMI (in Chinese)
Corporate climate disclosure in China - with Erica Downs, Ned Downie, and Yushan Lou
Micromobility and sustainability: A day in the life of a bike-sharing scholar - with Wen Yi [in Chinese]
Emergency Podcast! Sunnylands Declaration and COP28 - with Li Shuo
Young Professionals in Sustainability - with Qiwen Cui of Dialogue Earth [in Chinese]
Coal is back – with Sam Clissold of Carbon Tracker
"Greener than Ever"? The BRI turns 10! - with Christoph Nedopil-Wang
Marine plastics with Liu Xiao (Women in Sustainability) [Chinese]
The evolution of China’s climate diplomacy – with Taylah Bland
Do China's EVs really reduce emissions and improve air quality? - with Zhang Shaojun
Sustainable forestry and the role of China – with Beibei Yin
Breaking: Analysis of China's August Green Certificate Policy - with Anders Hove
Young Professionals in Sustainability - with Minjie Lu, S&P Global [Chinese]
Does China's carbon neutrality need a paradigm shift or just steady progress? - with Chunping Xie of the Grantham Institute
[Chinese episode] Carbon circles and climate finance - Women in Sustainability Series with with Yuan Lin of AIIB
Why are China's carbon emissions still rising - with Qin Qi of CREA
Renewable Pathways for China – with Michael Davidson and Zhang Zhenhua
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
Voices of Misery Podcast
House of Whimsical Terror
Dairyland Frights
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL