Last week, the European Parliament adopted a resolution to accelerate the phase-out of F-gases. F-gases, which are commonly used as refrigerants in heat pumps, must be completely phased out by 2050 at the latest due to their greenhouse gas effects.
The proposal uses the average production of F-gases over the period from 2011 through 2013 as the benchmark for a gradual phase-out. If the plans are finally approved, the goal is for Europe to reduce the use of F-gases to no more than 60 percent of that reference value by 2024. By 2036, this should have fallen to 15 percent, and by 2050, use must be reduced to zero. Sectors where a faster phase-out is possible will be subject to a ban sooner.
With a convincing majority of 457 votes in favor, 92 against, and 32 abstentions, the European Parliament adopted the legislative proposal. The Council of Ministers will also vote on this matter in late January, when the new regulation is expected to be approved as well.
