Germany’s use of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) saw a slight decline in 2024, according to figures released Monday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). The total potential climate impact, measured as CO2-equivalents, decreased by 2.5% to approximately 7.0 million tonnes, down from 7.2 million tonnes in 2023. While this reduction appears positive, a deeper analysis reveals a complex picture shadowed by increasing reliance on a specific replacement gas and raising questions about the effectiveness of current mitigation strategies.
Significant drops were observed in certain sectors. The chemical industry reduced its usage by a substantial 53.2% to 0.1 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents, while the wholesale trade sector (excluding motor vehicles) saw a decrease of 45.8% to 0.4 million tonnes. The machinery sector also contributed to the overall reduction, with a 17.0% decrease to 1.2 million tonnes. These figures, however, represent the amount “used” in a given year, not necessarily the amount released, highlighting the potential for future emissions stemming from existing stocks.
Germany’s total greenhouse gas emissions for 2024 are projected at 649 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents – a 3.4% reduction year-on-year. F-gases, despite their comparatively small overall contribution (1.4% of total emissions), possess an exceptionally high global warming potential, mandating stringent controls and a strategic shift to truly sustainable alternatives.
The data underscores a concerning trend: while efforts are made to phase out older, more potent F-gases like R-134a (Tetrafluoroethane), its usage decreased by 16% to 1,548 metric tonnes (contributing 2.0 million tonnes CO2-equivalent), its replacement, R-1234yf (Tetrafluoropropene), has seen a significant 13.3% surge in use, now accounting for 2,273 metric tonnes. Despite its lower individual global warming potential – equivalent to one CO2 molecule – the sheer volume used means its contribution, while seemingly small at 0.03%, needs careful monitoring. Critically, R-134a, despite its decline, still accounts for a substantial 28.6% of the total potential climate impact from F-gases used in Germany.
This increased reliance on R-1234yf raises political and regulatory questions. While it represents progress in reducing the overall global warming impact compared to R-134a, it potentially masks a failure to pursue more genuinely low-impact solutions, particularly in sectors that face challenges in fully transitioning to alternative technologies. Further investigation is required to understand the drivers behind this increase in R-1234yf usage, including economic factors potentially influencing material choices and the effectiveness of incentives designed to promote truly sustainable replacements. The government’s commitment to achieving ambitious climate targets will be tested by the ongoing need to manage the transition away from these potent greenhouse gases while avoiding unintended consequences and ensuring a just transition for industries reliant on them.