Prioritise efficiency in decarbonising efforts

BELGIUM: Component manufacturers have called on European ministers to prioritise equipment efficiency over the atmospheric impact of refrigerants during the current F-gas revision discussions.

ASERCOM, the Association of European Refrigeration Component Manufacturers, has echoed previous statements by industry bodies questioning the feasibility of the current revision proposals. 

The association insists that given the large contribution the HVACR industry can make to decarbonisation, it is important to keep an eye on the actual technology and industrial availability to accelerate the pace of change in emission reductions.

“What really matters for the environment is the actual feasibility of a proposal,” said ASERCOM president Marco Masini. “If there are false or misleading targets, in terms of timing and/or technologies, we fail as an industrial and political fabric to make our powerful contribution to decarbonising our economies. 

“The new electrified economy we are aiming for, which can take advantage of zero-carbon power generation, will be more effective if ErP’s – which consume the most energy during their on-site life cycle – are available for their manufacture. Priorities at this stage should be on efficiency first and only then on the impact of refrigerants on the atmosphere, not the other way around.”

Masini accepts that the EU is working hard on both sides, creating some challenges that go beyond the target. “But perhaps they are losing sight of the main objective of product and technology availability to get to the point,” he added.

Related stories:

Majority support for F-gas revision proposals – 6 January 2023
EUROPE: The European Commission’s proposals for an accelerated F-gas phase down are said to be supported by a majority of EU member states, despite being described by industry as unrealistic. Read more…

F-gas revision may need “balance” on heat pumps – 8 November 2022
EUROPE: The EU environmental committee rapporteur has urged industry to move to natural alternative refrigerants as quickly as possible but recognises that a “balance” may be required on heat pumps. Read more…

All-propane heat pumps by 2027 “impossible” – 30 October 2022
BELGIUM: European industry group EPEE has called for a realistic HFC phase down in order to meet EU plans to move away from fossil fuels. Read more…

Euro green seeks total ban on F-gases – 18 October 2022
EUROPE: The European Parliament’s environmental committee’s rapporteur has called for an outright ban on HFC and HFO refrigerants in most common uses and an even steeper phase down. Read more…

Industry calls for rethink on F-gas proposals – 5 April 2022
BELGIUM: Industry groups have been quick to voice concerns that the EC’s F-gas revision proposal contains “worrying” equipment prohibitions and an “unsustainable” phase-down that risk undermining its own environmental goals. Read more…

EC proposes steep HFC cuts and usage bans – 5 April 2022
EUROPE: The European air conditioning and refrigeration industry could face stringent cuts in HFC refrigerants and bans on common AC refrigerants in new EC proposals to strengthen the F-gas regulation. Read more…

F-gas quota cuts will hit heat pump ambitions – 15 March 2022
BELGIUM: The leading European associations have called on the European Commission to rethink its accelerated HFC phase down proposals or risk jeopardising the switch to heat pumps. Read more…

F-gas revision promises steeper phase down – 13 March 2022
EUROPE: Proposals to accelerate the phase down of refrigerants under the European F-gas regulations could see the current allowable quota slashed by around 50% in 2024. Read more…