Commission tackles fluorinated gases in air-conditionings

Publication date: 11 August 2003

The European Commission has adopted a proposal (COM(2003) 492 final - COD(2003) 0189) for a Regulation to reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases. Fluorinated gases are extremely powerful and long-lived greenhouse gases, used in air conditioning, refrigeration, fire-fighting equipment and various industry processes. The fluorinated gases covered by the proposal are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride.

com2003_0492_fluorinated_gases.pdf (152 KB)

One key element of the proposal is the phase-out of the use of the gas HFC-134a in air-conditioning systems in new vehicles. Emissions from this sector are forecast to grow from 1.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 1995 to 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2010 if action is not taken. The proposal introduces a flexible system based on transferable quotas to gradually phase-out the use of HFC-134a in new vehicle air-conditioning systems over the period 2009 to 2013.

Next step:
Forthcoming adoption by parliamentary committee expected on 17 February 2004