BE-SA-1Remove high-Global Warming Potential refrigerants - develop a refrigerant management program that establishes a phaseout timeline for high-Global Warming Potential refrigerants

High Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants, such as certain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in air conditioning and refrigeration, can trap significantly more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, exacerbating global warming. These substances have GWPs hundreds to thousands of times greater than CO2, making even minor leaks highly impactful on the greenhouse effect. Transitioning to low-GWP alternatives and innovating in cooling technologies are crucial steps toward reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and achieving climate objectives. Examples of these global warming potential refrigerants include:

• Sulfur Hexafluoride
• Used in electrical switchgear
• Hydrofluorocarbons
• Used in air conditioning and refrigeration
• Perfluorocarbons
• Used in certain types of refrigerants and electronics manufacturing

The City of San Diego is actively seeking efforts to phase out and reduce the use of global warming potential refrigerants through amendments to building codes to promote energy efficiency and incentivize retrofitting.