APPLiA Digital Interview - How banning F-gas risks jeopardising climate goals
On April 2022, the European Commission made a legislative proposal to update the F-gas Regulation by introducing a further phase-down as from 2024 and a full-fledged ban on F-gas, as from 2027.
The proposal will drastically reduce the availability of critical refrigerants for heat pumps to heat and cool buildings, meaning that the almost 30 thousands different models of heat pumps currently present on the market would have to suddenly rely on natural refrigerant alternatives. Which involves the adaptation of production processes, but also the training of installers with an impact on the affordability of products.
Heat pumps can highly contribute to decarbonisation efforts. And the sector has been investing in these, also in line with the REPowerEU ambitions, aiming at the deployment of 60 million new heat pumps in Europe by 2030. A goal that the proposed bans risk undermining, alongside climate objectives.