What is the IFL?

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has been successful in controlling the production and consumption of fluorocarbons. However, leakage prevention and appropriate treatment of refrigerants after use have been left to voluntary actions by the respective parties.

Therefore, even with the Kigali Amendment, enormous amounts of fluorocarbons are projected to be released into the air in coming decades.

These actions complement the efforts under the Montreal Protocol and strengthen the global efforts toward the Net Zero Emission under the Paris Agreement. For example, some countries started integrating life cycle refrigerant management as part of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Life cycle management of fluorocarbons also brings co-benefits of increasing energy efficiency of cooling equipment, promoting circular economy with efficient use of resources, as well as creating green jobs in the market. Such an integrated approach will also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

That is why life cycle management of fluorocarbons is effective and essential to realize our sustainable future.

Japan has worked for a long time to implement life cycle management of fluorocarbons by developing legal systems.

Based on the experience, Japan launched the Initiative on Fluorocarbons Life Cycle Management (IFL) at UNFCCC COP25 in December 2019 to internationally promote the life cycle management.

The IFL advocates the importance of LRM and promotes mainstreaming into international and national policy frameworks. Also, the IFL works with developing countries to strengthen their capacity and create an enabling environment for policy development, deployment of technologies, and access to finance, in partnership with partner governments, organizations and the private sector.