Changes in HCFC Emissions in China During 2011–2017

Abstract

Abstract Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), the main substitutes of chlorofluorocarbons, are regulated by the Montreal Protocol. Chinese HCFC emissions increased fast from the beginning of this century. However, limit reports based on atmospheric measurement are available for years after 2011, an important period when significant changes are expected. Combining atmospheric observations at seven sites across China with a FLEXible PARTicle dispersion model‐based Bayesian inversion technique, we estimate emission magnitudes and changes of four major HCFCs in China during 2011–2017. The emissions of all four HCFCs reached peaks before 2015. Our results agreed well with the reported bottom‐up inventories. The Chinese ozone depletion potential (ODP)‐weighted emission of the three most abundant HCFCs accounted for 37% of global totals from 2011 to 2016. The total emission of HCFC‐22 from China, the European Union, and the United States accounted approximately a half of the global totals, suggesting large HCFC emission emitted from the rest of the world.