China Proposes Actions to Phase Down Hydrofluorocarbons in Draft National Plan

2 July 2024- China has released a draft-for-comment version of the National Plan on the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (2024-2030) (“draft Plan”). The draft Plan covers critical aspects of China’s proposed actions to phase out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in fulfillment of China’s obligations under the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment.

The draft Plan’s proposed actions on HFC phasedown include the following:  

• China will freeze HFC production and consumption at the baseline of 1.853 Gt CO₂eq and 0.905 Gt CO₂eq in 2024. In 2029, HFC production and consumption will be reduced by 10% from the baseline.

• China will further strengthen the monitoring, reporting and verification of HFC-23 by-production from HCFC-22 production facilities and encourage the adoption of HFC-23 re-utilization technologies.

• China will, as of 1 January 2030, prohibit the use of refrigerants with GWP >150 in the air conditioning systems of M1 vehicles for which manufacturers are seeking motor vehicle type approval.

• China will prohibit, as of 1 January 2026, the production of refrigerators using HFC refrigerants in the household appliance sector.

• China will encourage the use of R290 refrigerant and, as of 1 January 2029, prohibit the production of room air conditioners using R410A (a blend of HFC-32 and HFC-125) refrigerant intended for sale in the domestic market.

• China will prohibit, as of 1 January 2029, the use of refrigerants with GWP > 750 in unitary air conditioners and duct-fed air conditioning (heat pump) units and the use of refrigerants with GWP >2,500 in other refrigeration equipment in the commercial refrigeration sector (except for equipment with an evaporating temperature of -50℃ or below).

• China will prohibit, as of 1 January 2026, the production of fire extinguishers using HFC-23 and HFC-236fa as fire extinguishing agents.

• China will improve its atmospheric monitoring network and emission-source monitoring and strengthen its supervision and enforcement of Montreal Protocol-related compliance.

For additional regulatory background see IGSD’s English reference translation of the amended Regulation on the Administration of Ozone Depleting Substances, available here.