Achievements

The 2014 F-gas Regulation has been a cornerstone of the EU's climate policy. Thanks to its implementation, there has been a consistent and significant reduction in F-gas emissions across the EU from 2015 to 2024. This regulation went beyond merely mitigating climate impact; it catalysed advancements in innovation and green technology, especially within the refrigeration and air-conditioning sectors.

The EU has consistently achieved the yearly goals outlined in the 2014 F-gas Regulation. From 2015 to 2023, the amount of HFCs placed on the EU market dropped by 69%. The combination of the quota system and restrictions, in particular on putting HFC refrigeration and air conditioning equipment on the market, proved effective. 

Further information: HFCs placed on the EU market and the targets set out in the 2014 Regulation 

In total, from 2015 to 2022, the EU’s HFC supply fell by 52% in CO2 equivalent- emissions (37% in metric tonnes). These numbers imply that the average global warming potential of HFCs used in the EU also fell significantly. This proves that market players started to focus more on less climate-active HFCs (as seen in the graph below).

Between 2014 and 2022, EU legislation led to a 25% drop in emissions from F-gases, cutting down nearly 100 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The biggest improvements were seen in the cooling industries, like refrigeration and air conditioning. 

Why It Matters

During the 1990s, HFC quickly became popular as a replacement for other harmful gases that damaged the ozone layer, particularly in refrigeration and air conditioning, as well as products such as foams and aerosols. The emissions of F-gases in the EU doubled from 1990 to 2014—in contrast to emissions of all other greenhouse gases, which were reduced.

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) are other F-gases known for their strong ability to trap heat in the atmosphere. Efforts to reduce their use saw progress until around 2010 when industries and manufacturers started to understand the impact of these gases and began adopting better practices and technologies to minimise their release. However, after 2011, the reduction in emissions from these gases levelled off. 

Currently, emissions from F-gases make up about 2.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union. This is double what it was between 1990 and 2014, which stands out since emissions from other greenhouse gases have decreased. 

The EU has taken big steps toward using more climate-friendly cooling methods, setting an example for the rest of the world. By focusing on reducing harmful F-gases, the EU has sparked a wave of innovation and a shift toward greener alternatives. 

Why It Matters

• Businesses, especially supermarkets, are now using carbon dioxide (CO2) instead of harmful gases for refrigeration, with CO2 being used 28 times more in 2023 than it was in 2013. This switch is important because CO2 is much less harmful to the climate than traditional F-gas refrigerants. 

• The EU made this happen by increasing the cost of harmful F-gases and limiting their availability. This encouraged businesses to look for better, climate-friendly options. 

• As a result, the prices for greener alternatives remained stable, making them more appealing compared to the more costly F-gases. Businesses that chose these greener options were not only doing the environment a favour but also cutting costs. 

• This approach led to significant innovation in the sector. More and more businesses have started using technologies that don't rely on harmful HFCs, showing a clear move towards sustainability. 

The Impact

• The use of CO2 as a natural refrigerant in food retail skyrocketed by 2800% from 2013 to 2023, demonstrating a massive shift toward more sustainable refrigeration practices. 

• Despite a steady import of products and equipment that traditionally used HFCs to the EU, the overall impact of these gases on global warming decreased by 33% from 2016 to 2019. This indicates a significant move away from using the most damaging HFCs to options with lower warming effects on our planet. 

From 2014 to 2022, the amount of these gases being recycled — a process also known as "reclamation" —more than doubled. This surge in recycling is largely due to the rules that made these gases more economically valuable, encouraging companies to recycle them instead of letting them go to waste. While recycled gases are just as good as new ones, they don't count towards the quota set by the legislation on how much F-gases can be placed on the EU market. 

What Does Reclamation Mean? 

Reclamation is a technical term that refers to cleaning used F-gases up so they're as good as new. It's like taking a used bottle, washing it, and filling it up again so it can be reused. In 2019, about 8% of all the gases produced were recycled in this way. Most of these were the common cooling gases, HFCs, with smaller amounts of another gas, SF6, also being recycled because of its impact on climate change. 

HFCs represent the vast majority of reclaimed F-gases in metric tonnes (accounting for 97% of them), with SF6 contributing approximately 20% in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent of reclaimed gas.  

Where Does This Happen?  

Recycling these gases requires special facilities. However, not all EU countries have them, and cross-border shipments are challenging to organise. For example, Poland has been particularly successful at recycling these gases, increasing their recycled amount from 30% to 44% between 2019 and 2020.    

Many devices and products in the EU use F-gases, which can harm the climate if they escape into the atmosphere. To tackle this, it's crucial to prevent these gases from leaking and to manage them responsibly when equipment reaches the end of its life.  

Why checking for leaks matters 

Surveys from various European countries highlight the importance of regularly checking and servicing equipment, especially in supermarkets and other commercial settings. Thanks to these efforts, the rate at which F-gases leaked from cooling systems dropped significantly from 12.6% in 2016 to just 3.0% in 2020. This trend was noticed not just in Poland but also in Germany and Slovakia, showing widespread improvement. Such reductions result in both savings on adding new (expensive) gas and better equipment energy efficiency.

The Benefits  

Reducing leaks has two major advantages: 

1. Cost Savings: Fewer gas leaks mean we don't have to replace lost gas as often, which is economical because this gas can be expensive. 
2. Energy Efficiency: Equipment runs more efficiently when properly sealed and maintained, thereby saving energy.

Recovering and Recycling Gases 

There's also good news about recovering these gases when equipment is being fixed or thrown away. In France, for example, reports show that much of the gas was successfully collected and recycled. This recovery process ensures that gases can be reused rather than released into the environment, further reducing waste and emissions. 

The EU has set a standard with its 2014 F-gas Regulation, leading the way in reducing emissions from F-gases. This initiative showcases the EU's a proactive regulatory approach, commitment to international goals, promotion of alternatives, investment in research and innovation, and collaboration with various stakeholders. 

EU's Leadership Role: The 2014 Regulation was a game-changer. It proved that significant action against harmful HFCs isn't just necessary; it's entirely possible. By taking early and decisive steps, the EU has inspired countries worldwide to consider similar measures.

Global Influence: This regulation wasn't just about making changes within the EU. It was crucial in shaping the Kigali Amendment under the Montreal Protocol. This global agreement started in 2019 with the intention of cutting down the production and use of HFCs worldwide. Before this, there wasn't a united global effort to tackle the issue of HFCs, which are known for their strong greenhouse effect. 

In 2022, the HFC consumption of the EU was 55% below the EU’s limit set under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. 

For the EU and other developed economies, the international phase-down schedule begins at 90% of the baseline and is set to decrease to 15% by 2036. So far, the EU is on an upbeat track to fulfill its Montreal Protocol obligations. 

Looking Ahead 

The success of the 2014 regulation shows what can be achieved with determined and collective action. By continuing to lead with strong policies and cooperation, the EU is proving that it's possible to make significant changes that benefit the planet and our economies. This progress isn't just about meeting goals; it's about setting a global example for transitioning to safer, greener technologies and practices.

Internationally, HFC consumption is regulated through the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Enacted in 2019, this amendment commits developed and developing countries to reduce HFC consumption, following progressively declining targets.