Over the past decade, emissions of two potent greenhouse gases have seen a considerable rise in China, according to research findings.
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), which are utilized in creating flat-panel displays and electronic components or arise as side products from aluminum production, surpass CO2 in their heat-trapping capabilities. Unlike CO2 with a lifespan of up to 200 years, PFCs can remain in the atmosphere for millennia.
A team led by Minde An at MIT focused on two specific PFCs, tetrafluoromethane and hexafluoroethane, each having atmospheric lifespans of half a million and 10,000 years respectively. They scrutinized air samples from nine Chinese cities spanning the period from 2011 to 2021.
The study indicated that emissions for both gases soared by over 78% in China up until 2020 and accounted for half of the world's total emissions, with tetrafluoromethane comprising a larger share compared to hexafluoroethane. Despite this alarming trend, CO2 still contributes around three-quarters of global greenhouse gas output.
These findings suggest that China has been a primary factor in the escalation of PFC emissions globally. The study pointed out that industrial zones located mainly in western regions with lower populations were responsible for these elevated levels, likely linked to aluminum industry practices.
China holds the title as the world's leading producer and exporter of aluminum, boasting a record output of 41.5 million tonnes last year. The swift growth in China’s aluminum and electronics sectors raises concerns regarding its goals for carbon neutrality by 2060.
To address this challenge, the researchers propose that technological advancements alongside integrating aluminum production into a national emission credit system could potentially mitigate these increasing PFC levels. Although contributing to CO2 emissions, aluminum is vital for transitioning towards renewable energy sources and supporting various low-carbon products like solar panels, electric vehicles, and wind turbines.
Read next
Over 1 million people gather in Madrid for outdoor mass with Pope Leo
Over one million people gathered in Madrid for an open-air mass led by Pope Leo. During the service, the American pontiff highlighted the contradiction between Christian principles and far-right ideology, stating, “No one can kneel before the Lord and despise their brother.”
Crowds began forming hours before dawn on Sunday
Xi Jinping visits Pyongyang to strengthen China-North Korea relations
Xi Jinping has begun a two-day visit to North Korea, marking his first trip to the country in nearly seven years as he seeks to strengthen relations with the ally.
Footage from the Xinhua state news agency showed the Chinese leader and his wife, Peng Liyuan, arriving at Sunan international
Denmark's mullet championship celebrates the 'beautifully ugly' and divisive hairstyle
Copenhagen recently hosted the 2026 Mullet Championship, where more than 1,000 spectators gathered on an outdoor stage to celebrate the enduring hairstyle characterized by short hair in the front and length in the back.
Twelve participants competed in the event, which was organized by 37-year-old electrician Steffen Stiw Weber.