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Key messages: Following two decades of fluctuation, EU emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) peaked in 2014. They have since fallen by about 38% (by 2023). This can largely be attributed to the EU-wide hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phase out specified in the EU F-gas Regulation, which aims to reduce F-gas emissions and mitigate global warming. HFCs account for the majority of F-gas emissions and the EU is on track to meet its targets for HFC use. It is also on track to meet its international obligation to reduce HFC consumption, in effect since 2019, under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

Hydrofluorocarbon phase out in EU Member States*

Note: *The geographical coverage is EU-27 until 2012, EU-28 in 2013-2019, EU-27 + UK for 2020 and EU-27 thereafter. POM: placed on the market. Issued authorisations correspond to quotas bought by importers from quota holders. 

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Between 1990 and 2014, EU emissions of powerful, human-made fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases)increased . This was mainly due to the substitution of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) with HFCs in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) sector, and this sector’s overall growth.

To mitigate the increase of F-gas emissions, the EU F-gas Regulation that entered into force in 2015 introduced a HFC quota system and a HFC phase-down by 2023. This Regulation was revised in 2024 and aims to reduce F-gas emissions by stipulating a total HFC phase out by 2050 as part of reaching the EU’s climate neutrality target.

The volume of bulk HFCs placed on the EU market peaked in 2014 due to stockpiling by industry in anticipation of the , which came into force in 2015. This volume has declined markedly since then. In 2015 and every year since the volume has been below quotas set by the Regulation. Between 2020 and 2021 HFC quotas were cut by 38%.

When combined with the recovery of gases, the collection and clean treatment of F-gas-containing equipment at the end of their lifetimes will further help reduce F-gas emissions. In addition, the newest F-gas Regulation (that entered into force in 2025) aims to accelerate the phase out of F-gases by further reducing quotas for placing HFCs on the . It will also promote the use of sustainable alternatives, while further restricting or banning the use of F-gases (e.g. for additional applications in the RACHP sector, electrical equipment). The revision also calls for increasing control of their use and trade.

Lastly, since many F-gases and other fluorinated gases used as substitutes for ODS fall under the definition of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), they could be restricted by a proposal under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. The proposal, submitted to the European Chemicals Agency by the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Norway in , argues for addressing chemical risks associated with PFAS by focussing on their persistence and other hazards.

 Please consult the relevant indicators and signals below for a more comprehensive overview on the topic.

Climate change mitigation
Industry
Chemicals
2014-2050
European Environment Agency

F-gases include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). HFCs account for the vast majority of total physical quantities of F-gases.

Under both the 2015 and 2024 F-gas Regulations, companies must hold sufficient quotas to place bulk HFCs on the . These quotas are expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalents to create an incentive to use gases with lower global warming potential. The quotas are set to progressively decrease from 2015 and reach a full phase out by 2050.

Since 2017, HFCs in imported RACHP equipment have also been included in the quota system by means of authorisations that equipment importers buy from quota holders. While the HFC phase-down under the 2015 F-gas Regulation jointly applied to the EU-27 and the UK until 2020, the maximum quota quantities for 2021 onwards have been adjusted to the EU-27 scope.

More information is available at the EEA indicator page. 

 

Relevant objectives under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability

    • Minimise exposure of humans and environment to substances hazardous to health and the environment, through risk management measures and full information to users of chemicals

    • Restore human health and environment to a good quality status

Return to the main pages:

Minimise and control

Eliminate and remediate

EU indicator framework for chemicals

Other relevant indicators and signals

Total greenhouse gas emissions in the chemical industry (Indicator)
Total greenhouse gas emissions in the chemical industry (Indicator)
Consumption of ozone-depleting substances (Indicator)
Consumption of ozone-depleting substances (Indicator)
Industrial chemical releases to air (Indicator)
Industrial chemical releases to air (Indicator)

References and footnotes

  1. https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/data-viewers/greenhouse-gases-viewer EEA, 2023, ‘EEA greenhouse gases — data viewer’, European Environment Agency (https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/data-viewers/greenhouse-gases-viewer) accessed 25 April 2023.
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  2. EU, 2014, Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases and repealing Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 Text with EEA relevance (OJ L 150, 20.5.2014, p. 195–230).
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  3. ECHA, 2021, ‘Registry of restriction intentions until outcome - ECHA’, European Chemicals Agency (https://echa.europa.eu/registry-of-restriction-intentions/-/dislist/details/0b0236e18663449b) accessed 17 January 2024.
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  4. EU, 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/573 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 February 2024 on fluorinated greenhouse gases, amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 (OJ L, 2024/573, 20.02.2024).
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