- Natural Refrigerants Offer Safer and More Sustainable Alternatives.
- Cold Chain Improvements Could Reduce Energy Use by 20%.
- Reefer Has a Disproportionate Climate Impact Despite Small Fleet Share.
A new White Paper published by the Kuehne Climate Centre and GIZ emphasises that a full transition to cleaner refrigerated containers (reefers) would reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by as much as 3.74 million tons of CO₂e annually, reports Clean Shipping International.
Natural Refrigerants: A Safer, More Sustainable Option
Natural refrigerants such as propane and CO₂ provide equal or superior cooling performance to synthetic counterparts, while cutting global warming potential by orders of magnitude. And, most notably, they do not emit the toxic PFAS — persistent “forever chemicals” associated with environmental and health hazards.
Cold Chain Efficiency Can Reduce Energy Consumption by 20%
Operational efficiencies like increased insulation and temperature management along the cold chain can also decrease energy usage by as much as 20%, providing another dimension of sustainability to refrigerated transport.
High Impact Despite Small Fleet Share
While reefers only account for 15% of the world’s container fleet, their energy-guzzling cooling systems and high-GWP refrigerants such as R134a and R404A make them have a much larger climate footprint. In 2018, 3.74 million tons of CO₂e emissions were emitted due to refrigerant leaks alone.
Most synthetic refrigerants break down into PFAS, which persist in soil and water and are linked to serious health conditions like hormone disruption and cancer. Natural refrigerants do not have these pollutants at all.
Technologies Which Are Already Demonstrated and Ready for Use at Sea
Greener options such as propane and CO₂ are already demonstrated in other sectors and ready to be used in refrigerated containers at sea. They provide robust performance with reduced environmental hazards.
Transition Is Possible, with Manageable Challenges
While initial costs, flammability issues, and regulatory barriers are present, the White Paper concludes that these obstacles can be overcome. With support from policy and cooperation from industry, the shift is technically possible and economically justifiable in the long term.
Global Regulations Driving Change
Programs such as the EU F-Gas Regulation, the Kigali Amendment, and IMO climate targets are speeding up the transition to natural refrigerants. Projected PFAS regulations will further push the need for more environmentally friendly solutions.
Call to Action for the Maritime Sector
Otto Schacht, Kühne Foundation Advisor, underlined: “Bold action is not just necessary – it is possible.” The White Paper invites stakeholders to act now to mitigate emissions and keep pace with changing market and regulatory requirements.
Under the Greener Reefers Transition Alliance, the White Paper forms an integral part of a wider initiative by the Kuehne Climate Center and GIZ for the promotion of natural refrigerants, energy efficiency, and system innovation. The Alliance advances the objectives of the IMO and the Paris Agreement through cross-industry collaboration.
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Source: Clean Shipping International
