EIA hits back at efforts to derail F-gas
3rd December 2017
UK: The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has accused some countries of attempting to derail the European F-gas phase down process.
Responding to concerns raised by industry associations in Spain, Germany and Italy regarding the price and availability of refrigerants, EIA climate campaign leader Clare Perry, said: “It is disappointing to see these companies attempting to derail the phase-down process, especially as European industry has known it was coming for three-and-a-half years.”
In recent weeks, the Spanish refrigeration body has warned of “critical” refrigerant shortages and appealed to its government to lower the additional taxes imposed on these gases. The leading German air conditioning and refrigeration associations BIV, VDKF and ZVKKW demanded meetings with the German government over refrigerant shortages, while two of Italy’s leading associations have called on the Italian competition authority to investigate what they describe as unjustified and disproportionate increases in refrigerant prices.
“The importance of doing all we can to combat the impacts of climate change can’t be overstated and taking out HFCs in favour of switching to ‘natural’, less harmful refrigerants has long been the lowest-hanging fruit and the simplest way of making a major impact in reducing emissions,” said the EIA’s Clare Perry.
“Now that the phase-down is actually beginning to bite, it would be utterly self-defeating if member States begin to give their own domestic sectors a pass at the expense of the world’s climate.”
Related stories:
Spain warns of critical gas shortage – 29 November 2017
SPAIN: The Spanish refrigeration association AEFYT has warned of a “critical” refrigerant shortage and appealed to the Spanish government to reduce the country’s tax on HFCs. Read more…
Germany reacts to refrigerant shortages – 21 November 2017
GERMANY: Leading German air conditioning and refrigeration associations are demanding meetings with the government over refrigerant shortages. Read more…
AEFYT complains to EC over F-gas tax – 18 July 2017
SPAIN: The Spanish refrigeration association AEFYT has lodged a complaint with the European Commission claiming that its Government’s tax on HFCs infringes free market principles. Read more…
AEFYT calls for repeal of F-gas tax – 18 November 2016
SPAIN: The association representing the refrigeration and air conditioning trade in Spain has called for a repeal of the country’s tax on HFCs. Read more…
Refrigerant price increases “unjustified” – 4 October 2017
ITALY: Two of Italy’s leading associations have called on the Italian competition authority to investigate what they describe as “unjustified” and “disproportionate” increases in refrigerant prices. Read more…
