Case Study of R-1234yf Refrigerant: Implications for the Framework for Responsible Innovation.

Publisher: Opragen Publications Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9516228 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1471-5546 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 13533452 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Sci Eng Ethics Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: Guildford, Surrey, UK : Opragen Publications, c1995-

Air Conditioning* ; Consumer Product Safety* ; Hazardous Substances*/chemistry ; Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated*/chemistry ; Motor Vehicles* ; Social Responsibility*; Chemical Engineering/*ethics; Environment ; Environmental Pollution ; European Union ; Global Warming/prevention & control ; Humans ; Manufacturing Industry/ethics ; Marketing/ethics

Safety and care for the natural environment are two of the most important values that drive scientific enterprise in twentieth century. Researchers and innovators often develop new technologies aimed at pollution reduction, and therefore satisfy the strive for fulfilment of these values. This work is often incentivized by policy makers. According to EU directive 2006/40/EC on mobile air conditioning since 2013 all newly approved vehicles have to be filled with refrigerant with low global warming potential (GWP). Extensive and expensive research financed by leading car manufacturers led to invention of R-1234yf refrigerant with GWP < 1, which was huge improvement. For the proper understanding of this case it will be useful to refer it to the idea of responsible innovation (RI), which is now being developed and quickly attracts attention. I proceed in the following order. Firstly, I present the relevant properties of R-1234yf and discuss the controversy associated with its marketing. Secondly, I examine framework for responsible innovation. In greater detail I discuss the notions of care for future generations and collective responsibility. Thirdly, I apply the offered framework to the case study at hand. Finally, I draw some conclusions which go in two directions: one is to make some suggestions for improving the framework of RI, and the second is to identify missed opportunities for developing truly responsible refrigerant.

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Keywords: Framework; Innovation; R-1234yf; RI; Refrigerant; Responsibility; Responsible innovation

0 (Hazardous Substances)
0 (Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated)
DH9E53K1Y8 (norflurane)

Date Created: 20141126 Date Completed: 20161213 Latest Revision: 20181113

20231215

10.1007/s11948-014-9612-2

25421918