In the basement of a Jakarta housing complex, a small group of technicians are hard at work. They’re capturing refrigerant to stop it from leaking into the atmosphere, a process that’s crucial in the fight against climate change. These technicians, led by Ari Sobaruddin, are part of a climate startup called Recoolit. They spend 12 hours a day capturing AC refrigerant, which is thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide. Why is refrigerant a problem?

Refrigerant, found in air-conditioners, fridges, and cars, has been a long-standing environmental issue. In the 1970s, research showed that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were destroying the ozone layer. Countries agreed to phase out CFCs under a deal that came into force in 1989. However, their replacements, particularly hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), have major climate-warming properties. HFCs are used in AC units, and their demand is increasing as climate change fuels record temperatures and expands middle classes seeking cooling and refrigeration. A growing problem

The risk of HFCs comes during maintenance or disposal, when refrigerants like the HFC Ari is capturing can be released accidentally or on purpose. In Indonesia, as in most countries, this venting is illegal, but enforcement is limited. How Recoolit is tackling the problem

Recoolit trains, equips, and incentivizes technicians like Ari to capture refrigerant so it can be destroyed. For every kilogram of recovered refrigerant, the technicians get 50,000 rupiah ($3), which is sent to a government-approved cement kiln or municipal incinerator to be destroyed. Challenges and criticisms

Recoolit argues that recycling or reusing refrigerant is imperfect. “Who’s going to guarantee that when the refrigerants are injected again… they are going to stay there without another venting?” asked Yosaka Eka Putranta, Recoolit’s head of operations. Big tech interest

Recoolit sells carbon credits based on the amount of refrigerant it destroys, priced at $75 a unit. However, carbon credits have faced criticism, with some arguing that “offsetting” can give the impression that emissions can be simply erased through financial transactions. A partnership with Google

Recoolit has attracted attention from one of the market’s biggest corporate players: Google. The tech giant has announced a partnership with Recoolit and another company to prevent emissions equivalent to one million tons of carbon dioxide. Conclusion

Refrigerant capture is a crucial step in the fight against climate change. While it’s not a silver bullet, it’s a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As Ari Sobaruddin, the technician leading the effort, said, “I love it because it’s about preserving nature, saving nature.”

“As a climate action… it’s a very good one.