Jacob Andresen, head of Defra’s domestic F-gas and ODS team, spoke about the UK’s obligations under the Kigali Amendment and its 2050 net zero target. “We consider that the circumstances of the GB market are slightly different from the EU market,” he said, noting the UK’s greater emphasis on heat pump rollout compared to the EU’s higher air conditioning demand. The proposed trajectory reflects this, easing the phase-down curve through 2030 before tightening sharply toward mid-century.

Ray Gluckman of Gluckman Consulting, who contributed to the 2022 Defra assessment report, highlighted the need for ambition. “If we can cut down [HFC] use quickly, that’s going to be beneficial to the climate change problem,” he said, while cautioning that F-gas policy must not “have the reverse environmental impact of reducing F-gas emissions, but leading to a greater increase in fossil fuel emissions” by hindering heat pump uptake.

The consultation notably excludes bans, training reforms, and SF6 regulation, areas addressed in the EU’s 2024 F-gas regulation. Gluckman highlighted this divergence, suggesting that while bans can offer “signposting” for industry, Defra appears to favour a single-policy approach via quota reduction.

Neil Roberts, chair of the IOR’s ACRIB group, urged companies to engage directly with the consultation, especially on the underlying data assumptions. “Please don’t just think this data is irrelevant,” he said, pointing to gaps and generalisations in the cost and performance tables. “It’s imperative that the whole industry gets involved and responds… and makes it as data-driven as possible.”

The consultation is open until 17 December, with responses accepted via the Defra portal, email, or post.