Emissions reductions: doing the basics better

In the fight against climate change, progress sometimes comes from unexpected places. While high-profile strategies like renewable energy transitions and large-scale reforestation dominate headlines, significant opportunities for emissions reductions can lie much closer to home—even within the systems and equipment we use daily. However, unlocking these opportunities requires an understanding of the technical issues and the fixes; and it demands governance that is proactive, informed and courageous.

A recent announcement from the New Zealand Government highlights a critical yet often overlooked source of greenhouse gas emissions: synthetic refrigerants. Used extensively in commercial refrigeration, heating and air-conditioning systems, these substances – such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – can have a global warming potential thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide. Despite their potency, and the fact they currently account for around two per cent of New Zealand’s emissions, they rarely receive the attention they deserve in climate discussions.

New regulations now in development aim to mitigate this environmental impact by requiring improved handling and disposal practices for synthetic refrigerants. These measures include stringent controls on the recovery and destruction of HFCs and their ozone depleting predecessors, supported by the establishment of a licensing regime. By preventing the release of these gases into the atmosphere, New Zealand is not only addressing a significant emissions source but also setting an example for other countries to follow.

These changes underscore that regulation is sometimes needed to support meaningful climate action. Policies and regulations provide the framework and guidance, especially in oversight of otherwise often overlooked technologies, that empowers businesses and individuals to act responsibly.

However, regulation doesn’t solve everything. In the case of synthetic refrigerants, regulation just underpins broader management and oversight for these gases via the CoolSafe product stewardship scheme.

Chair of CoolSafe Richard Lauder, a Chartered Fellow of the IoD, says that managing these very high global warming gases via regulated product stewardship will mean everyone and every business involved with HFCs and CFCs will be verified as competent.

Gases will be handled with appropriate care, equipment leaks will be minimised, and ultimately all gas will be appropriately destroyed when we transition to already widely available equipment that does not require these fluorinated gases,” Lauder says.

“To put things into perspective, just one kilogram of the most environmentally harmful of these gases, if it is leaked to atmosphere, is roughly equivalent to the CO2 emissions from driving a petrol car 20,000 km. So management, and ultimate elimination of these gases is definitely worth the effort.”

For Lauder, one of the most compelling aspects of the new refrigerant regulations is their focus on simple, practical solutions that can yield substantial results. Proper maintenance of refrigeration systems, safe disposal of obsolete equipment and responsible handling of refrigerants are actions that are achievable with existing technology and expertise.

“Reducing emissions does not always require groundbreaking innovations – sometimes it’s about doing the basics better.

Lauder says that synthetic refrigerants offer an example of a broader truth: emissions reductions opportunities are often right beneath our noses. But we need to understand what our emissions are in order to reduce them. From optimising energy efficiency in buildings to improving waste management practices to electrifying transport or investing in solar, many of the solutions to our climate challenges are within reach. What’s needed is the vision to see them and the determination to act.

Governance plays a crucial role in this. Leaders must create the conditions that allow solutions to thrive, whether by incentivising sustainable practices, investing in public education or fostering partnerships between government, industry and communities. With strong governance, the path to a low-emissions future becomes clearer and more accessible.

As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the lesson from New Zealand’s synthetic refrigerant regulations is clear: impactful change often starts with the systems closest to us. By addressing emissions sources that are hiding in plain sight and fostering governance that leads with integrity and purpose, we can make meaningful progress in the fight against climate change. This is not just a task for governments but a call to action for all sectors of society to work together in building a sustainable future.