EU proposes tighter rules on fluorinated greenhouse gases

Connie Hedegaard, Climate Commissioner, EU.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM: The European Union aims to propose ‘in the coming days’ tighter rules on fluorinated greenhouse gases as a part of the bloc’s sustainable development drive, said Connie Hedegaard, Climate Commissioner, EU. Hedegaard said she hoped national governments and the European Parliament will give ‘a high priority’ to the planned draft revised regulation on the so-called F-gases.

EU regulation already in place would lead to the stabilization of fluorinated gas emissions at current levels, which is not enough to reach the bloc’s long-term goal to cut pollution by 80 to 95 per cent by 2050. F-gases are used mainly as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances and have a high global warming potential. They include hydrofluorocarbons, used in refrigeration and air- conditioning, perfluorocarbons used typically in the electronics sectors and in the cosmetic industry and sulfur hexafluoride, used as an insulation gas.

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