Preparation of an international initiative to mitigate sulphur hexafluoride emissions in the power sector

SF6 is the strongest known greenhouse gas, but its emissions have so far received little attention in international climate protection. SF6 emissions mainly originate from gas-insulated switchgear in the electricity infrastructure. They threaten to rise sharply in the course of grid expansion, especially in developing and emerging economies. The project is therefore preparing an international initiative on SF6 in the electricity sector. The first step is to analyse the technology and financing options for reducing SF6 emissions. On this conceptual basis, the project organises country stakeholder workshops. The aim is to create suitable regulation, monitoring and incentive mechanisms, possibly based on carbon markets. Finally, the project will prepare to embed this initiative in the international institutional landscape.

Project data

IKI funding: 1,000,000.00 €
Duration: 11/2023 till 12/2025
Status: open
Implementing organisation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Implementing Partner: Perspectives Climate Group GmbH

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State of implementation/results

Development of the necessary quantitative and qualitative data and information base:
- Developed global scenarios indicate the risk of a steep increase in SF6 emissions if no additional efforts are made: a tenfold increase in SF6 stock by 2100, a fivefold increase in SF6 emissions to over 40 kt/year by 2050, and a further doubling by 2100. A worldwide phase-out of SF6 in new installations as well as measures in existing infrastructure hold significant mitigation potential.
- Urgent political action is required to avoid a double “lock-in” of emissions (first for decades in built infrastructure, then for centuries in the atmosphere).
- Emission avoidance costs vary widely and depend heavily on the specific country context.
- Insufficient data availability regarding the tracking of SF6 and quantification of SF6 emissions.
Prioritization of countries and regions: Given current emissions and the future expansion of power infrastructure, Asia is particularly relevant for SF6 mitigation. Within Asia, China holds a prominent position.
Networking with key actors in selected countries (especially responsible ministries and grid operators) and exploring political interest in membership of the planned SF6 initiative:
- Most countries have so far barely exploited their potential to avoid SF6 emissions but are interested in developing future measures and international cooperation.
- SF6 should be considered in the upcoming 2025 revisions of national climate protection contributions (NDCs).
- Depending on the case, national regulation, climate finance, or carbon markets could be used to reduce SF6 emissions.
Networking with potential strategic partners of an SF6 initiative: UN organizations, development banks, private sector, research/science.
Conducted at the COP29 event on financing SF6 mitigation.

Latest Update:
12/2025