Europe agrees F-gas deal
5th October 2023
EUROPE: The European Parliament and Council has reached a provisional deal which will see specific bans on the use of HFCs and HFOs and a complete phase out of HFCs by 2050.
While the contents of the deal have not yet been revealed, it includes specific phase-out dates for the use of F-gases in sectors where it is deemed “technologically and economically feasible” to switch to non-F-gas alternatives, such as air conditioning and heat pumps.
The agreement is also said to cover strict conditions and deadlines for the use of high GWP F-gases for the servicing or maintenance of different types of equipment.
Rapporteur Bas Eickhout hailed the agreement as “an ambitious deal” that would put an end to F-gases. “This is crucial, not only because these gases are extremely harmful for the climate, but we are also providing clarity for companies and thereby investment certainty,” he said.
“We are breaking the endless cycle of new chemical cocktails that risk dragging technologies like heat pumps and switchgear – which are key for our energy transition – into the PFAS-debate. European companies are already at the forefront of developing clean alternatives to F-gases, so this law will be good for the climate and the European economy.”
Unconfirmed reports suggest the deal includes a full F-gas ban on the use of F-gases over 150 GWP in small (<12kW) monobloc heat pumps and air conditioning starting in 2027, and a complete phase-out in 2032. In the case of split air conditioning and heat pumps, the agreement is thought to include a full F-gas ban starting in 2035, with earlier deadlines for certain types of split systems with higher GWPs.
Parliament and Council need to formally approve the agreement before it can come into force.
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