Negotiators from the European Parliament, the EU Council the Commission met for the second time on Tuesday 13 June to discuss the European Commission’s proposal of 5 April 2022 (see EUROPE 12926/3) on fluorinated greenhouse gases.
This proposal aims to amend Directive (EU) 2019/1937 and repeal Regulation (EU) 517/2014, with the aim of establishing a downward trend in both the production and consumption of these gases.
Although partial agreement has been reached between the various parties on the regulation on emissions of ozone-depleting substances (see EUROPE 13170/6), which is part of the same legislative package, discussions on fluorinated gases have slowed down somewhat. According to a source close to the matter, the mandates of the European Parliament and the Member States are still under discussion. In addition, the ambitions relating to Annex IV and Annex VII “remain open” and have not yet been fully discussed at this tripartite meeting.
It should be remembered that the EU Council’s position, adopted at the beginning of April (see EUROPE 13156/12), diverges from that of the Commission with regard to the general level of ambition of the regulation and is even further removed from that of the European Parliament established on 30 March (see EUROPE 13153/10), based on the report presented by Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA, Dutch).
The central issue for both parties remains the dates of entry into force of the bans on certain products and equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases as set out in Annex IV, as well as the phasing-out schedule for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) set out in Annex VII, as proposed by the Commission. The European Parliament has proposed extending the sectors covered by the bans, while the EU Council has asked for more time. In addition, the European Parliament has expressed its wish to go beyond the Commission’s proposal by stepping up measures to reduce HFCs, with the aim of eliminating them by 2050. However, the EU Council did recommend extending the timetable.
The next trilogue is due to take place under the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council on 19 July. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)