The document summarizes the EU F-Gas Regulation and its implications. It notes that the EU regulation will lead to significant reductions in HFCs by 37% in 2018, 55% in 2021, and 69% in 2024. This is more ambitious than reductions under the Kigali Amendment. The reductions are even larger than they appear because baseline exclusions and exemptions mean actual reductions will be 48% in 2018 and 64% in 2021. Early effects include HFC stockpiling, price increases, and risks of illegal trade and material shortages. The regulation provides an opportunity for European green technologies to be mainstreamed globally through the Montreal Protocol HCFC phase-out.

1. Latest Technology in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVII European Conference Milano, 9 - 10 June 2017
EU F-Gas Regulation:
Perspectives on the Future
Tim Grabiel
Environmental Investigation Agency

2. Latest Technology in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVII European Conference Milano, 9 - 10 June 2017
Global Technological Transformation in
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
 The European Union leading
the global transformation
 Significant HFC phase-down
reductions in 2018 (37%)…
then another in 2021 (55%)…
then another in 2024 (69%)…
 Far more ambitious than
other developed countries
under the Kigali Amendment

3. Latest Technology in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVII European Conference Milano, 9 - 10 June 2017
Closer Look at EU HFC Phase-Down
Two Reasons It Is More
Ambitious Than It First Appears
#1 Baseline
Pre-Charged Equipment Excluded from
Baseline But Must Secure HFC Quotas in 2017
(~22 Mt CO2e)
#2 Exemptions
Exempt Uses Subtracted from Maximum
Quantity from 2018 Onward
(~5 MT CO2e)
In real terms, 48% reduction in 2018
and 64% reduction in 2021

4. Latest Technology in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVII European Conference Milano, 9 - 10 June 2017
Early Lessons and Observations
 HFC Stockpiling – 62% in 2014 contributed to delayed action
 Skyrocketing HFC Prices – several doubled in the last year
 High-GWP HFCs – soon to be unavailable
 Illegal Trade – early discrepancies indicate high risk
 Fluorspar Shortages – unpredictable X factor
 Mid-GWP HFCs – high risk, low reward

5. Latest Technology in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - XVII European Conference Milano, 9 - 10 June 2017
Mainstreaming European Technologies
Globally via the HCFC Phase-Out
Next HCFC Phase-Out Step in 2020 in Developing Countries: 35% Reduction
In the meantime, as you recall, under the EU HFC Phase-Down:
 48% reduction (in real terms) in 2018
 64% reduction (in real terms) in 2021
Timing and Incentives to Leapfrog to Climate-Friendly HFC-Free Technologies
in Developing Countries under the Montreal Protocol Coincide with the
Timing and Incentives under the EU HFC Phase-Down
Overlapping Market Opportunities for European Industries and
Manufacturers of Climate-Friendly HFC-Free Technologies!