I. Title of the Best Practice

II. Overview of the Best Practice

A. General Description
Of all greenhouse gases, perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfurhexafluoride (SF6) and several hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are the most potent because of their extreme stability in the atmosphere and strong absorption of radiation. PFCs, for example, have atmospheric lifetimes on the order of thousands of years. The U.S. is implementing two types of programs to reduce emissions: regulatory and voluntary. Although emissions of high GWP gases will increase over the next twenty years, emissions are estimated to be 63 MMTCE lower by 2000 than under business as usual as a result of the U.S. emission reduction activities with significant additional reductions expected by 2010.

Regulatory activities are carried out under Title VI of the Clean Air Act, which deals with the phase-out of chemicals that deplete the stratospheric ozone layer. Key provisions of Title VI require U.S. EPA to assess the overall potential risk of substitutes proposed for CFCs and HCFCs and enable EPA to ban certain substitutes if others with significantly lower global warming potential are available. EPA is also authorized under the Act to ban venting of refrigerants and has instituted mandatory recovery and recycling programs. The impacts of these regulatory programs are significant for both emission reductions and for giving industry guidance on climate protection.

In the U.S., high-GWP gases are also emitted by several other industries, including HCFC-22 production, primary aluminum smelting, semiconductor manufacture, electric power distribution, and magnesium smelting and die-casting. Beginning in 1993, EPA has implemented voluntary programs to reduce emissions from these sources. EPA partners value the benefits voluntary programs offer: cost-effective pollution prevention, technological innovation and information sharing, flexibility and quick implementation, and positive company recognition. Reducing or preventing emissions of the high GWP gases is important to the U.S. emission reduction strategy because of the potential high growth in emissions of these gases and the environmental benefits of avoiding a growing atmospheric concentration of long-lived anthropogenic chemicals.

B. Special Characteristics of the Best Practice
The Voluntary Aluminum Industrial Partnership (VAIP) is an innovative pollution prevention program developed jointly by EPA and the U.S. primary aluminum industry. Participating company's work to improve aluminum production efficiency while reducing PFC emissions. Ninety-four percent of U.S. production capacity and 11 of 12 U.S. manufacturers participate in the program. Each partner in the VAIP program signs a Memorandum of Understanding with EPA in which they agree to undertake technically feasible and cost-effective actions to reduce emissions. For its part, EPA has published a report on global efforts to reduce emissions, has contributed to work towards understanding the factors that influence the generation of PFCs, and provides public recognition of the partners' efforts. Partners have cumulatively committed to reduce PFC emissions 45 percent from 1990 levels by the year 2000.

The PFC Emission Reduction Partnership for the Semiconductor Industry aims to reduce emissions of PFCs from semiconductor manufacturing. Companies joining the Partnership have agreed to work to reduce their emissions by considering the viability of pollution prevention techniques such as process optimization, source reduction, recovery/recycling, substitute chemicals and abatement. Semiconductor manufacturers began using small quantities of PFCs in the early 1990s and these chemical have become critical to current manufacturing methods because they possess unique characteristics when used in a plasma. Worldwide, semiconductor manufacturers are working through the World Semiconductor Council to reduce emissions cost-effectively. Manufacturers in Europe, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the United States have pledged to reduce emissions by 10% from baseline by 2010. Despite high growth rates, this agreement ensures that this industry, will not become a significant greenhouse gas emitter in the future.

The SF6 Emission Reduction Partnership for the Electric Power Systems was launched in 1999 and currently includes 57 electric utilities and local governments across the U.S. SF6 is used by this industry in a variety of applications, including that of dielectric insulating material in electrical transmission and distribution equipment such as circuit breakers. Electric power systems that join the Partnership must, within 18 months, establish an emission reduction goal reflecting technically and economically feasible opportunities within their company. They also agree to, within the constraints of economic and technical feasibility, estimate their emissions of SF6; establish a strategy for replacing older, leakier pieces of equipment; implement SF6 recycling; establish and apply proper handling techniques; and report annual emissions to EPA. EPA works as a clearinghouse for technical information, works to obtain commitments from all electric power system operators and will be sponsoring an international conference in 2000 on SF6 emission reductions.

The SF6 Emission Reduction Partnership for the Magnesium Industry works with primary and secondary producers of magnesium. SF6 is used by these industries as a protective covergas for the molten metal. Without such protection, molten magnesium readily vaporizes and burns when exposed to air. EPA launched its partnership with this industry in 1999 and is currently working with 12 U.S. companies. Initial focus will be on establishing baseline emission estimates, identification and implementation of good handling procedures, evaluation of emission control technologies and information sharing. EPA is also coordinating with the International Magnesium Association to facilitate information sharing globally.

HCFC-22 manufacturers in the U.S. voluntarily committed in 1994 to reduce HFC-23 emissions by 50% by 2000 from their 1990 baseline. HFC-23 is an inadvertent by-product of HCFC-22 manufacture. All U.S. producers are participating in this initiative. Emissions have been reduced through process optimization and abatement. Manufacturers report emissions annually to EPA and have worked with EPA to establish measurement protocols as well as participated in monitoring and verification.

C. Reasons for Inclusion as a Best Practice
The high GWP gas programs have reduced U.S. emissions by 63 MMTCE since 1990, and are projected to reduce emissions significantly more by the year 2010. Without action, business as usual emissions of high GWP gases is projected to be extremely high. High growth industries such as semiconductors, expansion of HFC and PFC use as CFC and halon substitutes, and difficult technical challenges of finding substitutes all contribute to potential rapid growth in emissions.

These programs may have additional benefits beyond those associated with reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Due to long-atmospheric lifetimes of the high GWP gases (PFCs and SF6 average several thousand years) the greenhouse effects of emissions are irreversible. Avoiding emissions will help protect human health and the environment if additional, unanticipated effects result from the accumulation of high GWP gases into the atmosphere.

The high GWP programs are being applied throughout the United States and are serving as a model for other countries. Within the U.S., ODS-replacement and all other significant emitting sectors are now working with EPA to reduce emissions. Each voluntary program is customized to the specific needs of its industry. These programs are successfully reduced emissions and guiding chemical and equipment suppliers and industry to low- or no-emitting production methods. These programs are also serving as global models for high GWP gas emission reduction best practices. For example the voluntary partnership for semiconductors catalyzed similar programs in Japan, Europe, Korea and Taiwan, and contributed to setting a global PFC emission reduction target by the World Semiconductor Council. The U.S. HFC refrigerant recycling program has global recognition and being used as a model in a number of countries. Cost-effective process optimization methods to reduce HFC-23 emissions from HCFC-22 manufacture and PFCs from aluminum smelting are readily transferable.

III. Categorizing the Best Practice

1. Classification(s) (Indicate main classification(s) only.)
( X ) Regulatory Approach (Policy approaches-- regulations, incentives, etc.)
( ) Practical Action (Action undertaken independently by a social actor)
( X ) Social Network Mechanism (Cooperative structure)

2. Social Actor(s) Involved (Indicate main social actor(s) only.)
( ) Citizens
( X ) Central government
( ) Local government
( X ) Business

3. Sector(s) (Indicate main sector(s) only.)
( ) Energy
( ) Household
( ) Transportation
( X ) Industrial Enterprises
( ) Other (Non-Industrial) Business
( ) Agriculture/ Land Use/ Forestry
( ) Other (Please specify.)

4. Target Greenhouse Gas(es)
( ) CO2
( ) CH4
( ) N2O
( X ) HFC
( X ) PFC
( X ) SF6
( ) Other (Please specify.)

IV. List of References

U.S. Submission for Decision 4/CP.4: Way and Means of Reducing Emissions of High GWP Gases.

V. Please indicate a person to contact for more information about this Best Practice.

Contact Person:	Sally Rand
Title:	Director, Voluntary High GWP Industry Partnerships
Organization:	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Email:	rand.sally@epa.gov
Tel:	202-564-9739
Fax:	202-565-2078
Address:	401 M Street SW (6202J), Washington, DC 20460 USA