Hydrofluorocarbon Emission Reduction: A Crucial Contribution to Climate Protection

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are the dominant fraction of fluorinated greenhouse gases, also known as F-gases. HFC emissions in the European Union (EU) amounted to 112 million tonnes CO2 equivalent (Mt CO2eq.) in 2018. This amounts to 2,2% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Main sources of HFC emissions are refrigeration and air conditioning plants and appliances.

Following a proposal by the EU Commission, EU member states and the EU parliament just recently agreed to increase the 2030 target from 40% to 55% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions compared to the 1990 level. This considerable step-up of climate ambition by more than a third needs to be reflected also in the revision process of the F-gas Regulation, regardless of the achievements already made to curb F-gas emissions.

On the occasion of the F-gas Regulation revision, the German Environment Agency proposes the acceleration of the phase-down scenario, resulting in larger reduction steps from 2024 on and a final level of 10% of the baseline by 2030 compared to 21% according to the current schedule.