Characterization of German SF₆ Emissions

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) is a highly potent greenhouse gas with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 24,700 over 100 years and is globally mainly used as an electrical insulator in switchgear. Several measurement networks have tracked SF₆ for many years and their European data reveal significant emissions in southern Germany. This study focuses on German SF6 emissions (2020–2023), using atmospheric measurements from 22 European sites, offering high spatial and temporal resolution for robust emission assessments. While German UNFCCC inventory bottom-up emission estimates report a major source of SF₆ through the disposal of soundproof windows, the spatial distribution of German SF₆ emissions derived on top-down inversion techniques (InTEM and Flexinvert+) reveals a different picture: The continuous pattern of high emissions from a particular region is responsible for one-third of total SF₆ emissions in Germany. Despite this, total German SF₆ emissions have decreased from 112 ± 26 t in 2020 to 89 ± 15 t in 2023 (InTEM), with estimates from all methods (both bottom-up and top-down) showing similar trends. Our findings suggest that the emissions from soundproof windows are overestimated, while industrial sources - particularly from SF₆ production and recycling in the focus region - are likely underestimated.