| Author (Corporate) | European Commission |
|---|---|
| Series Title | COM |
| Series Details | (2012) 643 final (7.11.12) |
| Publication Date | 07/11/2012 |
| Content Type | Policy-making |
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The international scientific consensus calls for limiting the global temperature increase to 2˚C to prevent undesirable climate effects. In respect of this objective, the European Council has called for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by 80-95% by 2050 compared to levels in 1990 in the context of similar action by developed countries. The EU Low Carbon Economy Roadmap shows that, in order to achieve this objective at the lowest cost, all sectors and greenhouse gases must contribute including fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) whose warming potential can be up to 23,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2). In September 2011 the Commission published a report on the application of Regulation (EC) No 842/2006. It concluded that the Regulation could deliver significant emission reductions if it was further improved and fully applied. It also stated that more needed to be done to further reduce F-gas emissions in the EU. By ensuring that F-gases are replaced by safe alternatives with no or a lower impact on the climate, yearly emissions expressed in CO2 equivalent could be cut by two-thirds by 2030 at relatively low cost. Clearly early action to exploit relatively cheap abatement options for F-gases will avoid potentially higher costs associated with the reduction of other greenhouse gases in other industrial sectors. However, some stakeholders have stated that it is difficult to market "greener" alternative technologies under prevailing market conditions. In Denmark on the other hand, where stricter national rules on F-gases apply, start-ups and SMEs have successfully innovated and marketed new green technologies, turning them into market leaders. In this context, this proposal aims to (1) replace Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases in order to ensure a more cost-efficient contribution to achieving the EU’s climate objectives by discouraging the use of F-gases with a high impact on the climate in favour of energy-efficient and safe alternatives, and further improving the containment and end-of-life treatment of products and equipment that contain F-gases; (2) enhance sustainable growth, stimulate innovation and develop green technologies by improving market opportunities for alternative technologies and gases with a low impact on the climate; (3) bring the EU into line with the latest scientific findings at international level, as described in the Fourth Assessment Report of the UN’s IPCC, e.g. with regard to the substances covered by this regulation and the calculation of their global warming potential (GWP); (4) help to bring about a consensus on an international agreement to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the most relevant group of F-gases, under the Montreal Protocol; (5) simplify and clarify Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 to reduce administrative burden in line with the Commission’s commitment to better regulation. |
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| Source Link | http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2012:0643:FIN:EN:PDF |
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| Subject Categories | Environment |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
