Investigating HALocarbon impacts on the global Environment (InHALE)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
With the Kigali Amendment coming into force in 2019, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has entered a major new phase in which the production and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) will be controlled in most major economies. This landmark achievement will enhance the Protocol's already-substantial benefits to climate, in addition to its success in protecting the ozone layer. However, recent scientific advances have shown that challenges lie ahead for the Montreal Protocol, due to the newly discovered production of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) thought to be phased-out, rapid growth of ozone-depleting compounds not controlled under the Protocol, and the potential for damaging impacts of halocarbon degradation products. This proposal tackles the most urgent scientific questions surrounding these challenges by combining state-of-the-art techniques in atmospheric measurements, laboratory experiments and advanced numerical modelling. We will: 1) significantly expand atmospheric measurement coverage to better understand the global distribution of halocarbon emissions and to identify previously unknown atmospheric trends, 2) combine industry models and atmospheric data to improve our understanding of the relationship between production (the quantity controlled under the Protocol), "banks" of halocarbons stored in buildings and products, and emissions to the atmosphere, 3) determine recent and likely future trends of unregulated, short-lived halocarbons, and implications for the timescale of recovery of the ozone layer, 4) explore the complex atmospheric chemistry of the newest generation of halocarbons and determine whether breakdown products have the potential to contribute to climate change or lead to unforeseen negative environmental consequences, 5) better quantify the influence of halocarbons on climate and refine the climate- and ozone-depletion-related metrics used to compare the effects of halocarbons in international agreements and in the design of possible mitigation strategies. This work will be carried out by a consortium of leaders in the field of halocarbon research, who have an extensive track record of contributing to Montreal Protocol bodies and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, ensuring lasting impact of the new developments that will be made.
Organisations
- University of Bristol (Lead Research Organisation)
- Sun Pharma Advanced Research (India) (Project Partner)
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Ctr for Ocean Research (Project Partner)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Project Partner)
- Honeywell (United States) (Project Partner)
- Spanish National Research Council (Project Partner)
- Macalester College (Project Partner)
- National Center for Atmospheric Research (Project Partner)
- National Institute for Env Studies NIES (Project Partner)
- Academia Sinica (Project Partner)
- Center for International Climate and Environmental Research (Project Partner)
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (Project Partner)
- Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Project Partner)
- French National Centre for Scientific Research (Project Partner)
- Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Project Partner)
- University of Malaya (Project Partner)
- Fudan University (Project Partner)
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Project Partner)
Publications
Yi L
(2023)
In Situ Observations of Halogenated Gases at the Shangdianzi Background Station and Emission Estimates for Northern China
in Environmental Science & Technology
Western L
(2023)
Global increase of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons from 2010 to 2020
in Nature Geoscience
Western L
(2023)
Author Correction: Global increase of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons from 2010 to 2020
in Nature Geoscience
An M
(2023)
Anthropogenic Chloroform Emissions from China Drive Changes in Global Emissions
in Environmental Science & Technology