Voluntary Programs

A set of voluntary partnerships between EPA and industry is substantially reducing U.S. emissions of high global warming potential (high GWP) gases. These gases—including perfluorocarbons (PFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)—are released as byproducts of industrial operations and are extremely potent greenhouse gases with very long atmospheric lifetimes. The high GWP partnership programs involve several industries, including HCFC-22 producers, primary aluminum smelters, semiconductor manufacturers, electric power companies, and magnesium smelters and die-casters. These industries are reducing greenhouse gas emissions by developing and implementing cost-effective improvements to their industrial processes.

To date, these voluntary programs have achieved significant emission reductions and industry partners are expected to maintain emissions below 1990 levels beyond the year 2010. This is an impressive achievement given the potential for sizable expansion in many of these industries that would ordinarily be accompanied by higher emission levels.