Press Release: Climate change: Commission tackles fluorinated gases

The European Commission adopted a proposal on 11 August 2003 for a Regulation to reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases. The proposal represents a further step towards fulfilling the European Union's obligations under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce emissions of all gases contributing to global warming. Fluorinated gases are extremely powerful and long-lived greenhouse gases. Their emissions are forecast to increase rapidly in the coming years if no action is taken. The gases are used in refrigeration, air conditioning, fire-fighting equipment and various industry processes. The Commission's proposal is expected to reduce by almost a quarter the projected emissions of these gases by 2010.

European Commission: DG Environment: Climate change: European Climate Change Programme http://ec.europa.eu/comm/environment/climat/eccp.htm

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