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Explainer

Background Paper: What is Lifecycle Refrigerant Management?

November 15, 2023

Lifecycle Refrigerant Management can ensure that the Montreal Protocol continues its planet-saving legacy.

Realizing the full potential of the Montreal Protocol to protect the climate and ozone layer requires consideration of controlled substances’ complete lifecycle: from production and use to leak reduction, recovery, reuse, and environmentally sound disposal. This coordinated approach — known as lifecycle refrigerant management (LRM) — can generate significant climate, atmospheric, and equity benefits at low cost. This paper (now updated to reflect the Parties' landmark decisions on LRM at the Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the Parties) discusses LRM best practices and their potential impact. 

Note: a prior version of this white paper incorrectly stated that the "installed refrigerant bank" is expected to grow to 91 GtCO2e by 2100. 91 GtCO2e is in fact the cumulative amount of refrigerant estimated to enter the market by 2100 under baseline compliance with the Kigali Amendment. The report has since been updated. 

English

LRM: Maximizing the Atmospheric and Economic Benefits of the Montreal Protocol

Updated to reflect LRM decisions from MOP 35.
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Français

LRM: Maximiser les bénéfices atmosphériques et économiques du Protocole de Montréal

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Español

LRM: Maximizando los beneficios atmosféricos y económicos del Protocolo de Montreal

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infographic

Lifecycle Refrigerant Management Actions

Source: Caroline Benedetti, Yale Carbon Containment Lab
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infographic

Business-As-Usual Refrigerant Lifecycle

Source: Caroline Benedetti, Yale Carbon Containment Lab
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Contributors
Charlie Mayhew Charlie Mayhew
Tilden Chao Tilden Chao
Caroline Benedetti Caroline Benedetti
Alex Wyckoff Alex Wyckoff

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