Through atmospheric measurements, scientists have identified a chemical factory operated by Solvay in Southern Germany as the source of massive amounts of Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF₆) emissions. Being 24,000 times as bad as CO₂, SF₆ is the most potent known greenhouse gas.
  • perestroika@slrpnk.net
    2·
    2 days ago

    Solvay’s factory reported only 56 kilograms of SF₆ emissions for 2023 to Germany’s industrial emissions register. The scientist’s estimates are 500 times higher: around 30 tons. Its effect on the atmosphere is more than that of 700,000 tons of CO₂ due to the high global warming potential of SF₆, comparable to a coal-fired power plant.

    So, in terms of how much they probably lied: really bad.

    In terms of whether this one factory could significantly screw up climate: not as bad. Footprint is roughly the size of a large coal-burning plant going at full load.

    They obviously have to fix their leaks + pay for their emissions + pay a large fine + show their internal documents to make it clear if this was intended.

  • Ben Matthews@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    SF6 emissions are bad news, but thanks for reporting it. Wondering whether Solvay HQ in belgium had any role in covering this up ?
    I recall using SF6 30 years ago to study ocean gas fluxes, but only microlitres, as we knew about it’s crazy high GWP even then.