Sulfuryl fluoride

Sulfuryl fluoride is a gas used primarily as a fumigant though it may also have  uses in  the  semi-conductor  industry and as a cover gas for magnesium melt protection. Its use has been increasing as a result of the measures introduced under the Montreal Protocol to phase-out the use of bromide, an ozone-depleting substance. It is also a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect.

Sulfuryl fluoride in the Post-Kyoto Protocol Agreement
Ahead of the negotiation of the successor agreement to the Kyoto Protocol, the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have sought comments from governments on whether sulfuryl fluoride should be included in a new agreement.

In a submission to the UNFCCC, the Australian government argued that :


 * "SO2F2 is  the  only  gas  currently  proposed  for  inclusion  in  the  post-2012  outcome  that  has  not  been reviewed by the IPCC. Available information indicates no consensus on SO2F2s GWP and atmospheric lifetime. GWP estimates over a 100 year time horizon range from between 278 and 477 to between 500 and 2000 and as high as 8000. Atmospheric lifetimes range from less than 4.5 years,10 to approximately 30  years11.  Available  data  suggests,  however,  that  SO2F2s  current  contribution  is  likely  to  be  small. SO2F2 use is expected to rise in the future as pressure increases to reduce the use of other fumigants on  efficacy, occupational health and safety and environmental grounds."


 * "Recapture technology  for  SO2F2  is  in  its  infancy  and  likely  to  be  relatively  costly.  The  scope  for mitigation of SO2F2 emissions is therefore largely limited to the adoption of alternatives; the technical and  economic  feasibility  of  which varies  depending  on  country-specific  regulatory,  environmental  and physical circumstances."


 * "These uncertainties  prevent  an accurate assessment of SO2F2s relative contribution to climate change, the  scope  for  mitigation,  and  associated  costs.  Further  work  to  clarify  these  issues  would  appear warranted."

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Accra Climate Change Talks 2008
 * Clean Development Mechanism
 * COP14
 * COP15
 * Emissions Trading
 * Greenhouse gases omitted from the Kyoto Protocol
 * Joint Implementation
 * Kyoto Protocol
 * United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change