29 September 2014: A report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that, in 2013, the net supply of fluorinated gases (F-gases) in the EU fell by 1.4% measured in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). While production of the gases decreased, imports increased by 12%. An EU regulation on F-gases, applied from 2015 onwards, will aim to reduce related emissions by two-thirds from 2010 levels, by 2030.

F-gases, used in refrigerators, air conditioning units and aerosol cans, among others, were originally introduced to replace ozone layer-depleting chemicals. However, they often have a global warming effect thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2). In the EU, emissions from F-gases, which currently account for 2% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, have risen by nearly 60% since 1990.

The report, titled ‘Fluorinated Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2013,’ presents aggregated data reported by companies on the production, use, imports, exports and destruction of F-gases in the EU. It finds that the net supply of F-gases has been in decline for three consecutive years, dominated by a decrease in emissions from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which in 2013 constituted 82% of the net supply of F-gases, measured in CO2e, and also counterbalanced an increase in the net supply of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

The production of F-gases in 2013 fell by 8%, following four years of growth and prompted by a decrease in SF6 production. However, imports of F-gases increased by 12% compared to 2012, due to increased HFC imports. In terms of intended applications, the report finds a strong decrease in the use of F-gases in foams since 2007, and a decline in their use for refrigeration and air conditioning.

In 2006, the EU introduced measures to prevent leaks and ban some uses of F-gases. According to the most recent EU regulation (517/2014), adopted in 2014, F-gas emissions will need to be reduced to approximately 35 Mt of CO2e by 2030. It is estimated that, with the full application of current EU legislation, emissions from F-gases would reach 104 Mt of CO2e.

Of the main types of F-gases, emissions from HFCs have increased the fastest, trebling since 1990. Consequently, the regulation, applied from 1 January 2015 onwards, will include a quota system for HFCs. [EEA Publication Webpage] [Publication: Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases 2013] [EU Regulation No 517/2014]