Germany’s utilization of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) saw a slight decrease in 2024, according to data released Monday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). The total potential climate impact, measured as the equivalent of 7.0 million tonnes of CO2, represents a 2.5% reduction compared to 2023’s 7.2 million tonnes. While the overall decline appears positive, a closer examination reveals complex dynamics and potential areas of concern within the country’s ongoing efforts to mitigate climate change.
Significant reductions were observed in the chemical manufacturing sector (-53.2% to 0.1 million tonnes CO2-equivalent), wholesale trade (excluding vehicles, -45.8% to 0.4 million tonnes CO2-equivalent) and mechanical engineering (-17.0% to 1.2 million tonnes CO2-equivalent). These drops, while welcome, are likely attributable to a combination of factors including shifting industrial practices, technological advancements and stricter regulatory pressures, rather than a fully systemic shift towards more sustainable alternatives.
It’s crucial to note that the volume of F-gases used in a given year doesn’t directly correlate with the actual emissions released. These “potential emissions-relevant” substances represent a future risk and the actual 2024 aggregate greenhouse gas emissions for Germany are forecast at 649 million tonnes CO2 equivalent – a 3.4% decrease year-on-year. F-gases constituted 1.4% of this total, highlighting their comparatively smaller, albeit still significant, contribution to the country’s overall climate footprint.
A particularly striking detail within the data relates to the increasing prevalence of Tetrafluoropropene (R 1234yf). Usage of this refrigerant surged by 13.3% to 2,273 metric tonnes, making it the most widely employed F-gas. While R 1234yf itself has a relatively low climate impact (equivalent to 1 CO2), its rapidly expanding use raises questions about the long-term sustainability of its adoption strategy. It’s frequently touted as a replacement for the far more potent R 134a (Tetrafluoroethane).
Despite the focus on R 1234yf, R 134a remains a significant player, with 1,548 metric tonnes utilized – a 16.0% decrease from the previous year but still contributing the equivalent of 2.0 million tonnes of CO2. Critically, R 134a accounts for a substantial 28.6% of the total potential climate impact from the F-gases used in 2024. This significant portion underscores a potential problem: While R 1234yf is positioned as a “greener” alternative, the ongoing reliance on R 134a, even at reduced levels, hinders Germany’s progress toward truly minimizing its F-gas emissions.
Analysts suggest the continued use of R 134a points to a transitional phase, potentially influenced by economic and logistical constraints in fully transitioning to alternative technologies. However, some environmental groups are criticizing the pace of change, arguing that the focus on switching to R 1234yf may be masking a lack of comprehensive innovation towards genuinely low-impact cooling and manufacturing solutions. The data highlights the need for stricter, more proactive policies to accelerate the phase-out of high-GWP F-gases and incentivize the development and adoption of entirely new, sustainable alternatives, rather than simply substituting one F-gas for another.
