At their plenary session in Strasbourg on Monday 15 January, MEPs discussed the provisional agreements on reducing emissions of fluorinated gases and ozone-depleting substances (ODS), on the eve of votes to ratify them. These agreements, which were negotiated in October (see EUROPE 13265/7) and June 2023 (see EUROPE 13201/18) respectively, are the result of regulatory proposals adopted by the Commission on 5 April 2022.
During his speech, MEP Peter Liese (EPP, German), representing the rapporteur, Jessica Polfjärd (EPP, Swedish), stressed the importance of these regulations, issuing a reminder of the serious problems caused by the hole in the ozone layer in the 1980s, in particular the increase in cases of skin cancer.
Mr Liese stressed the importance of stricter controls and better recovery of ODS to prevent them from being released into the atmosphere, particularly during the demolition of buildings.
For his part, Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA, Dutch) highlighted the benefits of the F-gas regulation - for which he is rapporteur - not only for the environment but also for European competitiveness. According to him, “current regulations have already helped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and have laid the foundations for achieving zero emissions by 2050”.
Mr Eickhout also stressed the importance of finding natural alternatives and supporting European innovation in this field.
The European Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, also spoke on behalf of the Commission, stating that the new regulations on fluorinated gases and ODS represent a major step towards achieving the EU’s climate objectives for 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050.
He underlined the role of European industry in the transition to low-carbon and climate-neutral solutions, pointing to the increasing supply of heat pumps and climate-friendly equipment on the EU market, much of it produced in Europe: “European industry has an opportunity to become the first to provide these low-carbon, climate-neutral solutions on a global scale”. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)