Tag: F-gases

EU lawmakers in January 2006 struck an agreement on a proposal to cut down emissions of fluorinated gases as part of the Kyoto protocol on climate change. F-gases are widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning but have a high global warming potential and can sometimes stay in the atmosphere for thousands of years. The agreement mainly seeks to improve the containment and recovery of F-gases and imposes regular checks on industrial refrigeration installations. After much discussion, the compromise allows countries like Denmark and Austria to maintain stricter controls than elsewhere in Europe until 2012. A phase-out of HFC-134a in car air conditioning has also been approved as of 2011 with a complete ban applying from 2017.

A compromise agreement on the F-gas bill leaves Austria and Denmark free to maintain stricter controls on the fluorinated gases that exacerbate global warming. F-gases are used mainly in refrigeration and air conditioning.

Tough new measures to control and ban greenhouse gases used in refrigeration and air conditioning are on their way if EU lawmakers follow the opinion of the Parliament’s environment committee.

A new report by the UN's Intergovernmental panel on climate change recommends reducing greenhouse gas emissions coming from fluorinated gases. The EU has already started regulating these F-gases.

European carmakers say they will be "challenged" by the decision to phase out HFC-134a in air conditioning. Producers of F-gases find it a "reasonable" deal while environmentalists are critical.

Dutch State Secretary Pieter van Geel has spelled out his environment programme before Parliament, focusing on eco-efficient, innovative solutions to issues such as sustainable transport and chemicals (REACH).

The 'F-gas team' at the Commission's DG environment was rewarded for the open way in which it handled the phase out of greenhouse gases in cars' air conditioning systems.

The ban on fluorinated gases (F-gases) proposed by the Parliament's environment committee has left industry concerned and NGOs only mildly happy.

First reactions from industry representatives and environmental NGOs on the Commission's regulation on fluorinated gases show differences of opinion on the use of alternatives.

In a special stakeholder Conference on 10-11 February 2003, the Commission is discussing options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from mobile air conditioners.