DW Investigation Exposes Illegal Cooling Gas Black Market Worth Hundreds of Millions in Europe

Deutsche Welle's undercover investigation documented an illegal trade in cooling gases (refrigerants) operating across Europe, according to DW Planet A. Per DW's reporting, the black market is worth hundreds of millions of euros and involves the trafficking of ozone-depleting substances banned under international environmental agreements. According to the investigation, the illicit trade accelerates climate warming and violates the Montreal Protocol, the international treaty signed by nearly all countries to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals. DW's undercover work traced supply chains and identified market participants involved in the illegal distribution.