16/01/24 (Agence Europe) – During its plenary session in Strasbourg on Tuesday 16 January, the European Parliament approved by 457 votes to 92, with 32 abstentions, the political agreement reached with the EU Council in October (see EUROPE 13265/7) with a view to further reducing emissions of fluorinated gases. The revised regulation aims to eliminate all hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 2050. It also sets out a plan for gradually reducing the EU’s consumption quota from 2024 to 2049. In addition, the text imposes restrictions, banning products containing fluorinated gases from the European market, and sets deadlines for phasing them out in sectors such as domestic refrigeration, air conditioning systems and heat pumps, where technological and economically viable alternatives exist. (NP)