| EU must address fluorinated gases to achieve climate targets |
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ClientEarth says Council of Ministers needs to discuss climate forcer at debate on Monday Brussels, 9 March 2011 - The European Union (EU) can swiftly and effectively limit its contribution to climate change by placing more emphasis on tackling fluorinated gases (F-gases) alongside long-term CO2 reductions. Leading environmental law organisation ClientEarth says action on climate forcers other than CO2 must be embraced alongside the Commission’s Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050 to achieve necessary slowing of global temperature increases. ClientEarth’s new report Overhauling EU Regulation of Fluorinated Gases shows that the Commission is under-emphasising action on F-gases and sets out detailed legal and technical recommendations for action. The report shows that cost-effective regulation of these ‘super-greenhouse gases’ could mitigate the equivalent of 5 billion tonnes of CO2 – helping to achieve some of the more ambitious targets for 2020 and 2050. F-gases are found in products such as refrigerators and air-conditioning units. The climate effects of many common f-gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are short-lived. CO2 is the most important long-term contributor to climate change and efforts to address emissions are crucial. However, CO2 persists in the atmosphere for centuries, while the powerful warming effects of F-Gas emissions can be stopped in years to decades if effectively regulated. James Thornton, CEO ClientEarth, says: “There are more routes available to reach reduced temperature rises than are marked in the Commission's Roadmap. When the Council of Ministers debates the Roadmap on Monday they cannot afford to exclude F-gases from their discussions. “CO2 is the major long-term contributor to climate change and it is crucial that emissions are brought down. But climate change is set to hit us before CO2’s effects can be reduced. It is essential that we complement existing CO2 measures by taking immediate action on the other elements pushing up global temperatures and destroying the arctic.” Overhauling EU Regulation of Fluorinated Gases is the first report in ClientEarth’s rapid climate mitigation strategy, which will set out further actions to hasten action against climate change alongside ambitious targets to reduce CO2 – including tackling black carbon and ozone. These are yet to be included in the EU’s emissions climate frameworks despite the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) integrated assessment that such action is essential. ENDS Notes to editors ClientEarth’s report Overhauling EU Regulation of Fluorinated Gases is available here: http://www.clientearth.org/overhauling-eu-regulation-of-fluorinated-gases Alongside our work of rapid climate mitigation, ClientEarth remains committed to advocating for ambitious reductions in CO2 emissions . We are calling for the Commission to tighten the cap on the emissions trading scheme which we have proven to be legal – see our legal briefing here: http://www.clientearth.org/commission-power-to-tighten-the-eu-quantity-of-allowances-for-2013 Media contact Mike Haines | Communications officer | ClientEarth t. +44 (0) 207 749 5978 | m. +44 (0) 7841 918 770 | e. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ClientEarth ClientEarth is an environmental law organisation working in the public interest. Based in Europe and operating globally, we address issues including deforestation, energy efficiency, biodiversity protection, and the transparency and enforcement of environmental law. www.clientearth.org
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