Natural refrigerants like propane (R290) present a unique opportunity for the reefer industry to cut emissions, meet global climate targets, and drive sustainable innovation. A new white paper by GIZ and the Kuehne Climate Center outlines how the transition can succeed – and highlights four key actions for a future-proof, climate-friendly cold chain.
The Path Forward: Scaling Up R290 Adoption
The adoption of propane (R290) in reefer containers represents a game-changing opportunity to decarbonise the maritime transport sector. Yet despite its potential, widespread adoption remains constrained by a complex interplay of technical, regulatory, and market-related challenges — including safety concerns, infrastructure compatibility, and limited financial incentives. Overcoming these barriers will require decisive, large-scale action.
The urgency for this transition has never been greater. The reefer industry must adopt climate-friendly refrigeration technologies without delay, as outdated refrigerants are contributing alarmingly to environmental degradation. Direct emissions from refrigerant leakage and indirect emissions from energy consumption are driving the sector’s carbon footprint to critical levels. Without swift and comprehensive change, the industry risks missing key global climate goals, including the Paris Agreement and the IMO’s 2023 Strategy for GHG Reduction.
Refrigerated maritime containers — indispensable for transporting temperature-sensitive goods — currently rely on harmful HFC refrigerants such as R134a and R404A, both of which have extremely high global warming potentials. Another refrigerant increasingly used in mobile air-conditioning, HFO R1234yf, degrades into persistent “forever chemicals” (PFAS), further exacerbating environmental risks. With leakage rates of up to 25%, these substances release millions of tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually.
A transition to sustainable refrigeration technologies, particularly CO₂ (R744) and propane (R290), is not only technologically viable but environmentally essential. As natural refrigerants, they significantly reduce direct climate impact and are better aligned with evolving regulatory frameworks.
A successful transformation depends on four key pillars:
- Technology development and deployment – Accelerating prototype testing and integrating energy-efficient designs.
- Stronger regulations and policy support – National and global regulatory frameworks must actively incentivise the shift to sustainable refrigerants.
- Capacity building – Technicians must be trained and awareness raised among key industry stakeholders, including shipping companies and regulatory authorities.
- Financial mobilisation and partnerships – Carbon markets, public incentives, and public–private partnerships must be leveraged to ease financial burdens and foster cross-sector collaboration.
To meet the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement and remain competitive in a market that is shifting rapidly toward sustainability, the transition to Greener Reefers is not optional — it is imperative. The white paper “Accelerating the transition to climate and environmentally friendly reefers” outlines immediate steps toward a sustainable future, presenting detailed emissions models that underscore the stark contrast between action and inaction. It highlights the critical importance of scaling up the use of natural refrigerants.
This publication, jointly developed by the Kuehne Climate Center and the GIZ-implemented project Greener Reefers, benefited from the valuable contributions of the shipping and container industry. Their input helped sharpen the content and provide crucial insights into the future of maritime freight transport and logistics. The Greener Reefers project is financed through the International Climate Initiative (IKI) by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).