European Parliament and Council lawmakers have reached a provisional agreement on new legislation aimed at significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fluorinated gases (F-gases) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS), as reported by Reuters on October 5. The legislation includes a phase-out plan for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which constitute around 90% of F-gas emissions. Under the new rules, the consumption of HFCs will be reduced by 95% by 2030from 2015 levels, with a complete phase-out of these substances by 2050. Additionally, the agreement involves a ban on introducing specific categories of products and equipment containing HFCs into the market. The rules also dictate that F-gases can be used in new equipment only if no suitable alternatives are available, or if the most climate-friendly F-gases are used.

The European Union (EU) initiated negotiations on this law in April to reduce Europe’s use of F-gases and ODS. These substances are commonly used in various industrial applications and appliances, such as refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump equipment. These potent GHGs have a global warming potential thousands or tens of thousands of times stronger than CO2. F-gases account for approximately 2.5% of the EU’s GHG emissions. The recent legislation aims to prevent nearly 500 million tons of GHG emissions by 2050. This aligns with the EU’s climate goals, including a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/eu-strikes-deal-reduce-super-potent-greenhouse-gases-2023-10-05/

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/10/05/fluorinated-gases-and-ozone-depleting-substances-council-and-parliament-reach-agreement/

https://www.esgtoday.com/eu-lawmakers-agree-on-rules-eliminating-500-million-tonnes-of-ghg-emissions/

https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/opinion/f-gas-revision-far-more-than-a-climate-victory-for-europe/