Climate protection programmes
The EU has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. This applies to carbon dioxide as well as to fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases). The Federal Climate Protection Act sets out the greenhouse gas reduction targets for Germany: by 2030, emissions of all greenhouse gases are to be reduced by at least 65 percent compared to 1990 levels, and net greenhouse gas neutrality is to be achieved by 2045. Hence reports on fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions no longer constitute a merely voluntary status-description measure, but are a climate control instrument.
Reporting obligations
As a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Germany is required to compute and publish its emission inventories annually. Pursuant to international climate protection treaties, Germany also submits its annual emissions data to the European Commission. Further information can be found on the website on emission trends.
Degradation products
Fluorinated gases degrade in the atmosphere into several substances. Next to hydrofluoric acid (HF), the persistent and very mobile trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) can be formed. Further information can be found on the website on degredation products.