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Last changed: 18/01/12
Since the Rio Conference in 1992 and the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) signed there, climate protection has increasingly gained in importance. The Convention aims to stabilise man-made greenhouse gas emissions to prevent global climate changes. Continuation of the Convention is necessary in order to achieve this goal, and regular Conferences of the Parties (COP) have taken and continue to take place to promote this. The most important outcome of these conferences has been the Kyoto Protocol, which was adopted in December 1997. It represents the first binding commitment made by industrialised countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. In the framework of burden-sharing within the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany has committed itself to reduce its emissions by 21 %.
Apart from the typical greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), the fluorinated greenhouse gases HFCs, PFCs and SF6 were also included in the Kyoto Protocol because of their high or extremely high Global Warming Potential (GWP).
In the year 2000, the Federal Government included fluorinated greenhouse gases in its Climate Protection Programme as a separate module. In 2002, the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Radiation Safety (BMU) issued a position paper titled Umsetzung des nationalen Klimaschutzprogramms im Bereich der fluorierten Treibhausgase [Implementation of national climate protection programme for fluorinated greenhouse gases] in which the need for action was defined and possible measuresto reduce emissions were detailed. Transposition of the measures into national law did not initially occur due to European statutory processes already in progress. However, since May 2006, these European regulations have entered into force (see below).
On 24 August 2007, the Federal Cabinet adopted an integrated energy and climate protection programme. One of the programme focus areas is ”reduction of fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions” with the following four recommendations for action measures:
On 26 June 2008 the German Bundestag adopted the Ordinance on climate protection against changes caused by release of certain fluorinated greenhouse gases (Chemikalien-Klimaschutzverordnung – ChemKlimaschutzV) in German, PDF / 90 KB. It enters into force on 1 August 2008 and is intended to complete the EU regulations concerning fluorinated greenhouse gases (see below).
In order to advance development and market launch of particularly energy efficient and ecological refrigeration systems using natural refrigerants (see above), the German Federal Ministry for Environment instituted a Climate Protection Incentive Programme for commercial refrigeration plants in German as part of the Climate Protection Initiative. Funding is as follows for especially climate-friendly and energy-efficient new systems using natural refrigerants: 25% of net investment costs + bonus. For improvement of energy performance in existing systems, 15-25% of net investment costs are funded.
The Federal Environment Ministry (BMU) and Federal Environment Agency (UBA) discussed matters of practical implementation of EC Regulation Nr. 842/2006 (see Section on ”European Directives and Regulations”) pertinent to refrigeration and air conditioning systems together with industry experts on 27 November 2007. Another round of expert talks took place with delegates from German magnesium foundries on 5 December 2007, which focused on substitution of SF6 for high pressure die casting and other casting processes. Results of both rounds of talks are reported in a German-language report Fachgespräche zur Verordnung (EG) Nr. 842/2006 über bestimmte fluorierte Treibhausgase zu den Themen Qualifikation und Zertifizierung von Unternehmen und Personal (Kälte- Klimabranche) und Verwendung von Schwefelhexafluorid in der NE-Metallindustrie.
Under the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP), the European Commission, representatives of industry, Member States and non-governmental organizations have discussed possible EU-wide measures to reduce the emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases since May 2000. In May 2006, the Commission adopted the EC Regulation on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases and the EU Directive relating to emissions from air-conditioning systems in motor vehicles. Due to these regulations certain uses of fluorinated greenhouse gases are prohibited (e.g. fluorinated greenhouse gases in windows and certain foams) or will be prohibited in future (e.g. R134a in mobile air conditioning systems).
On 26 September 2011, the EC has published a report evaluating the existing regulations and the assessment of the underlying study. Until 19 December 2011stakeholders had the opportunity to participate in a consultation on potential policy options. The Federal Environment Agency responded to the accompanying questionnaire and submitted concretizing proposals PDF / 116 KB.”
In addition to banning orders, the statutory regulations make further provisions for emissions reductions, some of which are or will be sector-specific. To date the European Commission has adopted the following regulations:
Some states in Europe - Denmark, Austria, and Switzerland in particular - have already planned or resolved measures to reduce emissions and/or ban use of fluorinated gases.
On 9 November 2000 the Federal Government of Germany and German business concluded an Agreement on Climate Protection. In this context there have been further commitments by certain industries like the Voluntary Commitment of SF6 Producers, Manufacturers and Users of Electrical Equipment PDF / 1.89 MB to reduce their emissions of sulphur hexafluoride or the Voluntary Commitment of the semiconductor industry to reduce its emissions of fluorinated greenhouses gases.
For questions please do not hesitate to contact the
Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt)
Fachgebiet III 1.4
Postfach 1406
06813 Dessau-Roßlau
or via e-mail