Fluorinated greenhouse gases
European Parliament calls for phase-down and partial ban of these 'super' greenhouse gases
The European Parliament's environment committee today adopted a report on fluorinated greenhouse gases (HFCs or F-gases) by Greens/EFA MEP and rapporteur/draftsperson Bas Eickhout. The report calls for the phase-down of F-gases as well as a ban on their use in new air conditioners and refrigerators from 2020. Having entered use as a replacement for the notorious CFCs, some F-gases have a global warming potential (GWP) up to 23 000 times more potent than that of carbon dioxide. Commenting after the vote, Bas Eickhout said:
"Today's vote to ban fluorinated greenhouse gases in new air conditioners and refrigerators from 2020, complementing the phase-down proposed by the Commission, is an important step in the fight against climate change. While the European Commission’s Low Carbon Economy Roadmap contains reduction targets of 72-73% in non-CO2 emissions (which includes F-gases) by 2030, and while all other greenhouse gases have been reduced, F-gas emissions in the EU have risen by 60% since 1990. A ban on the use of these "super greenhouse gases" in refrigeration and air-conditioning is therefore urgently needed to reverse this damaging trend. In addition to this, the report calls for the phase-down schedule to be strengthened, with the target reduction in use of HFCs increasing from 79% to 84%.
At a time of economic crisis, these bans will support the growth of climate-friendly technologies across Europe. Over two hundred companies in Europe, many of them small and medium sized, produce climate-friendly alternatives to F-gases. Banning HFCs will benefit European enterprises by providing a marketplace and stimulating demand for natural refrigerants.
This is a historic day for climate change. Europe has set the international standard because these proposals have already had a global impact with the United States and China recently agreeing to scale back production of the super greenhouse gases used in refrigerators and air conditioners. The legislative proposals adopted today place Europe firmly at the forefront of the development of climate-friendly alternatives to super greenhouse gases."
