EC wants to reduce use of greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances

The European Commission has proposed two new Regulations to more tightly control fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) and ozone depleting substances (ODS). This would represent a significant step towards limiting global temperature rise in line with the Paris Agreement. The F-gas proposal will also contribute to reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and making Europe climate-neutral by 2050. Both proposals together could bring about a total reduction in the EU's greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) of 490 Mt (CO2 equivalent) by 2050.

F-gases and ODS are highly potent, human-made greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming when released into the atmosphere, often several thousand times stronger than carbon dioxide (CO2). Both types of substance groups have or used to have practical applications in everyday life, for example in refrigeration, air conditioning, insulation, fire protection, power lines and as aerosol propellants. While existing EU legislation has already limited the use and emissions of these gases significantly, the regulations proposed will reduce emissions even further and provide incentives to use climate-friendly alternatives.

Proposal for a new F-gas Regulation

At EU level, F-gases currently account for 2.5 % of total GHG emissions. The strengthened F-gas proposal will save the equivalent of 40 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2030, beyond the expected reduction under current legislation, reaching total additional savings equivalent to 310 million tons of CO2 by 2050. The proposal would tighten the quota system for hydrofluorocarbons (HFC phase-down), reducing the potential climate impact of new HFCs coming onto the EU market by 98% between 2015 and 2050. It also introduces new restrictions to make sure that F-gases would only be used in new equipment where no suitable alternatives are available. 

Proposal for a new ODS Regulation

By introducing new measures targeting products in which ODS were legally used in the past, the EU wants to prevent the equivalent of 180 million tonnes of CO2 and 32,000 tonnes of ozone depleting potential (ODP) emissions by 2050. Most additional emission savings would be achieved by requiring ODS to be recovered or destroyed from insulation foams when buildings are renovated or demolished.

Ec.europa.eu