Measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from motor air conditioning in China

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in mobile air conditioning (MAC) and refrigeration equipment are an important contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from motor vehicles. Estimates of emissions in China from the MAC refrigerant HFC-134a, conducted by Peking University, shows that they exceed 20 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year . In keeping with international efforts to curb GHG emissions it is urgent for China to formulate policies that aim to reduce GHG emissions from MAC. This report is organized as follows. The first section briefly describes the categories and sources of GHG emissions from MAC. The second section summarizes the measures to reduce GHG emissions from MAC, including the means to improve the MAC energy efficiency. The third section analyzes the development status and challenges of advanced MAC technologies and refrigerants in China through a literature review and market research. The next section summarizes international experience and best practices, focusing on the regulatory systems and policies for reducing GHG emissions from MAC in the United States and Europe. The fifth section summarizes the existing measures and policy gaps in regulating GHG emissions from MAC in China. The last section provides policy recommendations for future regulation of GHG emissions from MAC in China, based on the previous analysis.