In July 2024, CERN adopted its first Fluorinated Gases (F-Gas) Policy, which formalises its strategy to minimise the environmental impact of its installations and activities that use or contain F-gases, underlining the Organization’s commitment to reducing its direct (Scope 1) greenhouse gas emissions and to contributing responsibly to global climate action.

F-gases are essential to CERN’s cutting-edge research – they are used in a wide range of applications and equipment at CERN, including cooling, particle detection and electrical insulation. But they also come at a cost: F-gases account for some 90% of our direct (Scope 1) emissions. Reaching our ambitious goal of reducing Scope 1 emissions by 50% by 2030 implies that they be responsibly managed at all stages and levels.

To support this effort, CERN has published the F-Gas Policy Implementation Measures and launched a new F-Gas Fundamentals e-learning course and F-Gas Policy implementation: practical guidance webpages.

These resources will give all personnel involved with F-gases the tools to:

• understand what F-gases are and why they matter,
• learn how CERN manages them responsibly,
• recognise their own role in reducing emissions.

The F-Gas Fundamentals e-learning course is mandatory for all personnel handling F-gases, i.e. those involved in: 

• procurement (including import where applicable), storage, transport, recovery, recycling or reclamation, destruction and/or final disposal of F-gases,
• installation, use and servicing, charging/refilling of equipment containing or using F-gases,
• monitoring (including leak checking and inspections), recordkeeping and reporting on/of F-gases and equipment containing or using F-gases.

This isn’t just about compliance – it’s about resilience. With F-gases becoming scarcer and more expensive, and with CERN’s research depending on them, adapting quickly is essential. Embracing better management, mitigation strategies and alternative solutions helps make CERN’s science sustainable.