EPEE: Position paper on the revision of F-gas regulation

EPEE has been a long-time supporter of the 2014 EU F-Gas Regulation (EU 517/2014). Delivering emission savings year after year since its entry into force, it has become the effective gold standard worldwide for reducing emissions from fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gases).

F-Gases, and HFCs in particular, are used as refrigerants in RACHP equipment, which in turn are key technologies to achieve 2050 climate neutrality by decarbonising heating and cooling. HFCs were introduced as alternatives to ozone depleting substances, facilitating their phase-out in Europe. However, due to their Global Warming Potential (GWP), HFC use and related emissions are being minimised and refrigerants with lower climate impact are being phased in, where this is safe, energy efficient, technically and economically feasible and does not hamper the green energy transition.

In view of the upcoming revision of the EU F-Gas Regulation, this position paper outlines the major opportunities and challenges to further improve the existing policy framework in line with the European Green Deal, the EUā€™s 2030 climate and energy objectives and the international commitments of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

In this position paper, EPEE presents the following key recommendations on the revision of the EU F-Gas Regulation:

  1. Strengthen key provisions to further prevent F-Gas emissions
  2. Factor in the need for F-Gases to achieve the 2030 and 2050 decarbonisation objectives
  3. Keep the current ambitious HFC phase-down schedule and ensure freedom of choice
  4. Take into account different scope and counting methods when aligning with international commitments

The paper includes figures from the HFC Outlook EU model by Gluckman Consulting, which forecasts the future developments on RACHP equipment in the EU and UK, taking into account:

  • the growing stock of RACHP equipment,
  • consumption and demand of HFC refrigerants by the RACHP sector,
  • greenhouse gas emissions from refrigerants,Ā 
  • greenhouse gas emissions from the energy used by this equipment, and
  • the decarbonisation contribution by heat pumps.

You can download the position parer HERE

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