EPEE/EFCTC Draft Press Release

INDUSTRY CALL FOR OZONE DAY CELEBRATION

Industry and Government Partnership Delivers Environmental Progress in bid to protect the ozone layer

Brussels, 15 September 1997 - As world attention focuses on September 16, International Ozone Day, European industry is attributing the success in phasing out CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), implicated in depletion of the ozone layer, to the vital role of co-operation between industry and governments.

In the last ten years, eight of Europe’s leading chemical companies, which form the European Fluorocarbon Technical Committee (EFCTC) - a Group within CEFIC - , have invested 300 million ECU in the research and development of, and production facilities for replacements for CFCs. New fluorinated compounds have been specifically designed to be ozone layer benign, while typically of low toxicity, non flammable and energy efficient.

They are being used by industry world-wide to replace CFCs in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, medical aerosols (such as asthma inhalers) and in the manufacture of energy saving insulating foams. User industries have invested over an estimated three billion ECU to enable CFCs to be replaced.

The transition from CFCs to the new fluorinated compounds was triggered by the 1987 Montreal Protocol - the world’s first international agreement to protect the environment. The Protocol initially set the goal of phasing down CFC production and then, in an Amendment in 1990, called for CFC production to be stopped in the developed world by the end of 1995 (end of 1994 in the EU), with the exception of certain ‘essential uses’ (principally in the pharmaceutical sector). The developing world has until 2010 to phase out its production and consumption of CFCs.

According to EFCTC chairman, Maurice Verhille, "The scale of this achievement should not be underestimated but neither should the remaining challenges of full CFC phase-out. Thanks to unprecedented co-operation between industry and Government, the task of phasing out CFCs has been radically accelerated."

"Four factors contributed: most fundamentally, we shared the environmental goal, together with environmental organisations, the public and regulators; governments in turn played their part by giving industry a voice in the negotiation process and by setting challenging but realistic timescales; we then as an industry were able to organise ourselves to achieve the goal; finally, without industry’s development of new products and technology and the rigorous testing of the new alternatives for their environmental and toxicological acceptability, there is no way in which we could have met the timetables which were set."

"However, the fact is that the task of CFC phase-out is by no means complete. Even more important however, CFCs are still extensively used in the developing world - and adequate enforcement in OECD countries is needed to deal with illegal trade in CFCs. All together, in 1995, only 3/4 of the CFC phase-out task had been achieved; in the developed world they will still be indispensable for pharmaceutical applications; and world-wide there remains significant demand for CFCs from industries which still must be converted to replacements."

"What we have achieved so far is a result of concerted efforts by chemical producers, the user industries such as aerosols, solvents, refrigeration and foam manufactures, and governments. It’s an excellent example of how industry and government partnerships can overcome environmental problems and contribute toward sustainable development."

"The challenge for Governments now will be to ensure full enforcement of the commitment to the Montreal Protocol."

*** END ***

( EFCTC and EPEE logo’s)

FUTURE FLUORINATED GASES DIRECTIVE LEGISLATION AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE REDUCTION OF EUROPEAN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS : EUROPEAN STAKEHOLDERS MEET IN BRUSSELS TO DISCUSS SOLUTIONS

CLIMATE CHANGE DEBATE: STAKEHOLDERS MEET IN BRUSSELS TO DISCUSS HOW TO CONTROL FLUORINATED GASES EMISSIONS[ Title is too long: “ A WORKSHOP SEMINAR ON FLUORINATED GASES SEMINAR: THE IMPORTANTCE OF CO2 EMISSIONS REDUCTION OPPORTUNITIES DISCUSSED IN SPAIN”]

Madrid, 7 november Brussels, 16 April 2002: F-gases (mainly the hydrofluorocarbons – HFCs and SF6) are substitutes to ozone depleting substances, such as CFCs, widely used for their safety and energy efficiency in important daily-life applications such as refrigeration, air conditioning, thermal insulation, fire fighting, electronics industry and medical aerosols.

The European Fluorocarbon Technical Committee (EFCTC)* and the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE)**, hosted, today in Madrid Brussels, a workshop dedicated to the position of the various Spanish stakeholders of the the future European legislation on Fluoroinated carbons gases (F-gases). Substitutes to ozone depleting substances, such as Substitutes to CFCs, these gases are widely used in important daily- life applications such as: refrigeration, air conditioning, thermal insulation (manufacture and in electronics safety features) electronics industry andor medical aerosols.

Indeed, dBecause Due to the fact that F-gases are also greenhouse gases, the European Commission is drafting a legislation to limit reduceon their F-gases emissions. This is reduction, which is one of the first steps witha first step in the Commission’s Climate change policy the implementation of the conclusions of following the work of the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP), started by the EU Commission in 2000 on F-gases.▲ The ECCP concluded that future EU-level legislation of F-gases will be the central element of an EU-wide level approach to reduce such emissions., which represent less than 2 % of total global greenhouse gas emissions..

The legislative F-gases proposal on F-gases is expected to be presented by the Commission by in the course of Summer 2002 early 2003 and can have significant consequences for all Spanish stakeholders involved in the F-gasses use their many different applications.

Containment and emission control of F-gases : sStakeholders agree way forwardSolutions and regulatory options at European levelfor containment and emission control

The workshop witnessed an open and ftransparent rank dialogue bbetween stakeholders from industry, commerce, governemnent and environmental organisations and showed a wide participation of Spanish and foreign experts. on this issue, following in the footsteps of the ECCP.

TThe workshop’s programme covered the various aspects of the question : the scientific context of climate change issues, the reasons to use F-gases for specific applications, the examined the following : the scientific context, why F-gases are used and for what applications, ?; ; the sustainability issues around F-gases use, , , the regulatory proposals solutions for emissions containment and emission control and in particular the practical consequences of any future regulation for Spain. , and regulatory options.

Discussions touched on several of the key factors that need to be taken into account in developing EU legislation. ItThey will concentrate mainly focused on containment of F-gases, (requiring all practicable measures to be taken to minimise emissions at design, manufacture, installation, operation and disposal of equipment. Concrete Mmeasures for the m) and monitoring of emissions from the use of such gases were also debated.. The planned legislation will cover the multiple sectors and applications. including domestic and industrial refrigeration, air conditioning, thermal insulation foams, fire fighting, medical aerosols and semiconductors.

Some presentations by Spanish and foreign representatives underlined the significant role F-gases can play to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions, thanks to a greater energy efficiency, that leads to a reduction of climate impact of the climate impact. Life-cycle analysis inof thermal insulation applications (polyurethane foams), performed in buildings in different climatic areas of Spain, shows that due to the higher energy efficiency of some F-gases in these applications, will CO2 emissions can be reduced significantla significant energetic gainy.

Many participants agreed during the discussions that restrictions on the use, production and applications of F-gases, are not the necessarily the best way forward to achieve real ,significant overall greenhouse gases and lasting emission reductions.

A balanced and responsible-use approachapproach for F-gasesof the “sustainability corridor”

After Dr A. Mc Culloch from the University of Bristol first placed first the HFC emissions in perspective . Future emissions of F-gases would indeed represent only a small fraction (less than 3 % according to realistic IPPC scenario’s) of total global greenhouse gas emissions. and particularlyOn the other hand, CO2 emissions, which account for over 80% of allthe gGreenhouse gases emissions of the six greenhouse gases mentioned in Kyoto protocol. Particular attention was paid to the principles of a responsible use of F-gases. All participants agreed that such gases need to be used in closed systems, preventing or minimising emissions. andParticular attention was paid in the workshop to the principles of responsible use of F-gases (Can we sum up what RU is in a one-two lines ?). MAll participants agreed that such gases need to be contained and manySome speakers insisted on oke of the The majority of participants agreed (??? I don’t like to the idea to take the non industry people in “hostage by such statement) And other suggestions how to work this message in ? ) that there is a continuingimportant role for the responsible use of F-gases, to in providinge efficient, safe low risk systems and applications that offer significant benefits in their essential applicationsto the society.

Unnecessary restrictions on the use, production and applications of F-gases, asit was agreed, are not the way forward to achieve real and significant emission reductions. will ultimately be to the detriment of the environment and will lead to an increase in safety risks. Indeed, L-, that were ,.F-gases ingA balanced and workable approach

The panel discussions workshop allowed an open exchange of views between users, producers, academics, regulators, legislators and , consumer associations and NGO representativess.

Nick Campbell, Chairman of EFCTC, underlined the F-gases producers wish stated ‘We wish “to collaborate actively with decision makers and other stakeholders to define a workable, coherent and viable EU-wide approach.’

Today’sThe discussions focused on themes such as the concluded that the focus of any future legislation should represent a balanced and workable approach tobetween F-gases usage and coverinthe various g various policy objectives, including public and worker’s includinglike safety, energy efficiency, climate change, waste management orand and economic and social development.

Nick Campbell Chairman of EFCTC stated in his opening words that ‘We wish to collaborate actively with decision makers and other stakeholders to define a workable, coherent and viable EU-wide approach.’

add here some words of Mrs Wenning too !!!

Olivier Deleuze, the Belgian Secretary of State for Energy, who presented the future legislation in its Kyoto Protocol setting for and

Mrs Garcia Orcoyen, Member of the European Parliament contributed to the debate who……………. ADD KEY points raised by them here

Future EU Legislation The Framework Directive

Stakeholders are looking for effective solutions to guarantee emission reductions and the sustainability of F-gases. Nick Campbell Chairman of EFCTC stated in his opening words that ‘We wish to collaborate actively with decision makers and other stakeholders to define a workable, coherent and viable EU-wide approach.’

Wenning words here also !!!

EFCTC and EPEE recommend that the EU-wide legislation never loses sight of its main objective, namely emission reduction which must be tackled at a Community level via the most appropriate and proportional EU tools.

this next paragraph also is too much industry position lobbying for this workshop One of its sentence however could be put in the words of Fred Busch

Friedrich Busch, Director General of EPEE underlined that stated “‘’ The EU must also ensure that the provisions of this legislation are consistently and equally implemented in all Member States as this is the best way to achieve real and meaningful results. Preferably Only such a legislative framework, with an emphasis on Community level provisions on monitoring and containment, will ensure that the vibrant Refrigerant and Air-conditioning sectors,) together with the others using responsiblyresponsible uses of HFCs, will continue to contribute to the competitiveness of the EU.”’

Real emission reduction, will be achieved by better monitoring and containment will be the primary as the overriding and principle elements of the new legislation.. The intention of the Commission to prepare such an EU level F-gases legislative proposal was welcomed by all the participants. SeveralSome ,participants, however, several sspoke out against attempts by EU Member States, such as Austria and Denmark, to launch unilateral and unbalanced legislation on the use F-GasesGases, which do not correspond to the intention to create a European legislation that can prevent EU internal discrimination.

The main message all participants agreed on and took from the workshop is that all those involved in the process wish play and active and facilitating role in the development of this essential EU legislation.

CONTACT DETAILS

For further information please contact:

Spanish contact ??????????

Véeronique Garny, EFCTC Secretariat,

Telephone: +32 2 6767232, E-Mail:

Mary B. Walsh, EPEE Secretariat,

Telephone: +32 2 7391614, E-Mail:

add link to web sites of EPEE : www.epee.org

and of EFCTC : www.fluorocarbons.org

Images of important F-gases applications : refrigeration – air conditioning – foam insulation:

for the press : add one image of an appliction : refrigeration or thermal insulation

For further information please contact:

WHO IS EPEE and WHO IS EFCTC contact point ??????????

**during the meeting we propose Richard Longden ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

BACKGROUND FOR EDITORS

▲

The planned F-gases legislation is a first step in the implementation of the Commission principle vehicle for its climate change policy - the European Climate Change Programme on F-gases. The European Climate Change Programme of stakeholder consultations ran from March 2000 until July 20201. Its mission was to ‘drive forward’ EU efforts to meet the targets set by the Kyoto Protocol for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by identifying potential actions that could be taken in a wide variety of sectors. The programme brought together a range of stakeholders who developed possible elements of an EU strategy to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. One sub -working group of the ECCP met several times to specifically examine F-gases. The principal output from the Programme was a series of policies and measures to reduce the EU’s GHG emissions, covering the development of existing policies and new proposals which will form part of the EU’s strategy to combat climate change. Under the ECCP, a working group discussed the contents of this future legislation. The principle agreed elements were: