Research progress on accounting methods for domestic and international sulfur hexafluoride greenhouse gas emissions reduction

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is a high-quality ultra-high voltage insulating dielectric material with unique insulation and arc-extinguishing properties, and is widely used in power companies. However, sulfur hexafluoride is the strongest known greenhouse gas and is extremely difficult to degrade, so its emissions into the atmosphere need to be strictly limited. In the process of carbon emission reduction, the first step is to conduct carbon accounting, and accounting methods for SF6 emissions at home and abroad are gradually being supplemented and improved. Although major breakthroughs have been made in various aspects of SF6 carbon accounting at home and abroad, there is a lack of comprehensive discussion of the current main progress. This article first summarizes the current process of SF6 carbon accounting under two major categories and four methods at home and abroad. After that, the boundaries of each category, quantification methods, and accounting methods under the four major methods were further compared in detail. Finally, the positive impact that these methods can bring to the company’s operations is analysed from the perspective of inventory reporting, certification application and domestic carbon market transaction profits. This article systematically explains the current research progress from the aspects of method classification, practical operation and final practical application, in order to provide theoretical support for further promoting new accounting methods in the future.