The EU Confirms Itself the World Local weather Chief On Refrigerants, NGOs Say

Right this moment’s deal on the F-Fuel Regulation marks one of many best local weather wins of von der Leyen’s Fee. The proposed phase-out schedule for these potent greenhouse gases alerts a paradigm shift, driving key sectors resembling warmth pumps and air con in direction of the usage of climate-friendly refrigerants.

BREAKING: Ambition of newly revised #EU F-gas Regulation heralds new period of local weather innovation!

– use of climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons & different #Fgases coming to an finish, with the world’s first complete #HFC phase-out scheduled for 2050https://t.co/rC1f3HfBfn#climatechange pic.twitter.com/iwVTM4zs4T

— Environmental Investigation Company (@EIA_News) October 5, 2023

The EU makes historical past with the revision of the F-gas regulation. The interinstitutional settlement reached at present paves the way in which for Europe to turn into the world’s first HFC-free continent by 2050, setting an unprecedented environmental and local weather commonplace on a world scale.

Practically 2.5% of the EU’s greenhouse gasoline emissions, equal to the whole EU aviation sector, will likely be reduce by 2050 because of the entire phase-out of fluorinated gases (F-gases). The proposed ban timeline will play a vital position in selling the adoption of climate-friendly refrigerants throughout burgeoning and strategic sectors, resembling warmth pumps, air con and switchgears (key elements for electrical energy grids). This transition additionally encompasses different sectors resembling foams, home refrigeration, chillers and medical aerosols.

Davide Sabbadin, Deputy Coverage Supervisor for Local weather on the EEB, mentioned:

“Right this moment’s win is a triple win. Firstly it’s a win for the local weather, resulting from F-gases’ vital contribution in direction of greenhouse gasoline emissions within the EU. It’s also a win for our well being and surroundings, as F-gases are the first supply of harmful PFAS ‘without end chemical substances’ emissions in Europe. Lastly, it is a win for Europe’s inexperienced business, which is house to the manufacturing of climate-friendly options to F-gases: pure refrigerants.“

Endlessly Chemical Air pollution

The latest F-gas household often called HFOs launch PFAS, the so-called without end chemical substances, into the ambiance. Due to the brand new F-gas trajectory, HFOs will likely be banned within the subsequent decade in all main functions, making this revision a breakthrough second to forestall chemical air pollution that harms and stays without end. Giant portions of PFAS is not going to be launched into the ambiance because of this laws and won’t be accumulating in rivers and lakes. This revision units the stage for the REACH reform, a essential regulation that may not be postponed.

Local weather World Management

It’ll now be the job of the brand new Fee to make this EU-led revolution a world one, by selling this identical ambition within the context of the Montreal Protocol*, the worldwide framework that offers with refrigerants and that has already been improved as soon as upon the primary launch of the Fgas regulation through the Kigali modification*.

EU-Made Options

This deal additionally brings constructive tidings for the European business. Europe stands on the forefront of climate-friendly and environmentally sound applied sciences in these domains, and it stands to learn from a extra strong push throughout the home market. The business is actively searching for alternatives to strengthen its international management place.

Article by Communications Officer Alberto Vela

Notes: When f-gases burst onto the market, they did it to switch their ozone-depleting predecessor substances which had been banned by the Montreal Protocol in 1985. Whereas f-gases can present cooling with out damaging the ozone layer, they nonetheless heat the ambiance.

To proceed defending the ozone layer with out aggravating the local weather disaster, international leaders amended the Montreal Protocol in 2016 to incorporate a phase-down of f-gases. Named after town wherein it was signed, Kigali (Rwanda), the brand new treaty agreed to an 80% f-gas discount over 30 years.

Article courtesy of the The EEB, The biggest community of environmental residents’ organisations in Europe