Work out your R134a refrigerant emissions
= 5.20 tonnes CO2e in 2026 (Scope 1)
Each kg × 1,300.0 kg CO2e, the 2026 UK government (DESNZ) factor.
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R134a refrigerant emission factor by year
| Year | Scope 1 (kg CO2e per kg) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,300.0 | 0.0% |
| 2025 | 1,300.0 | 0.0% |
| 2024 | 1,300.0 | 0.0% |
| 2023 | 1,300.0 | -9.1% |
| 2022 | 1,430.0 | 0.0% |
| 2021 | 1,430.0 | 0.0% |
| 2020 | 1,430.0 | 0.0% |
| 2019 | 1,430.0 | – |
Total kg CO2e for the seven greenhouse gases, from the official DESNZ files for each year. 2026 factor ID: 3_200_2024_3_1. Where a factor jumps sharply between two years, it is usually because DESNZ changed its method or data source, not because the activity itself changed.
Worked example
Take 4 kg of R134a topped up in chillers and vehicle air conditioning. 4 kg × 1,300.0 kg CO2e = 5.20 tonnes CO2e, reported as Scope 1.
How to report it
R134a is found in car and van air conditioning, chillers and some commercial fridges. Leaks are Scope 1. In the government factors it is listed as HFC-134a.
Where the data comes from
You'll usually find it in your engineer's service records, which must show refrigerant added. Keep the source documents: anyone checking your Carbon Reduction Plan or SECR report may ask how each figure was worked out.
Read more about how the factors change each year in our guide to the 2026 conversion factors, or see how we apply them in our methodology.
Related emission factors
- R410A refrigerant: 1,924.0 kg CO2e per kg
- R407C refrigerant: 1,624.0 kg CO2e per kg
- R404A refrigerant: 3,943.0 kg CO2e per kg
- All UK emission factors