7 November 2012
folder [featCategs]
EIA blames industry lobbying for HFC reprieve
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EUROPE: The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has reacted with disappointment to the publication of the final proposal for the EU Review of the F-gas regulation, citing weak measures and a lack of ambition.
Describing the proposal as a missed opportunity, Clare Perry, EIA senior campaigner, blamed 'heavy industry lobbying' for the removal of plans to ban HFCs in new industrial and commercial refrigeration equipment.
Alasdair Cameron, EIA campaigner, said: 'By failing to include ambitious bans, this new law will not achieve the emissions reductions required. The cap and phase down is weak and, without the back-up of bans in areas where we know safe and energy efficient alternatives are available, it will not provide the certainty that industry needs to invest in new technologies and will not reach the emissions reductions needed.
'The Commission has been unable to provide the necessary level of ambition and it will be up to the European Parliament and the Member States to do better in the coming months. It is clear that we need, and can have, stronger measures and we are confident that in the end they can be achieved.'