The report, ‘UK Emissions of HFCs, PFCs and SF6 and Potential Emission Reduction Options’, was commissioned by the DETR to look into the technical options and potential costs to industry of further reducing these key greenhouse gases.
At present they contribute 2.4% of total UK global warming emissions.
At Kyoto in December 1997, developed countries agreed to reduce emissions of a basket of the six main greenhouse gases overall to 5.2% below 1990 levels over the period 2008-2012. The six gases
covered by this legally binding target are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).
Under the Kyoto Protocol, the UK has agreed to a reduction of 12.5%. and in its manifesto, the Government also set out a domestic goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2010.
Announcing publication of the report, Environment Minister Michael Meacher said: “This report provides a very useful tool to underpin the development of the new UK programme to meet our climate change targets. It provides up-to-date information on current and likely future emissions of these greenhouse gases in the UK and the potential for industry to help further reduce losses.
“I also recognise the important contribution industry has made in co-operating in the completion of the report. The Government would welcome any comments on the findings of the report as part of the
climate change consultation exercise.”
The consultation paper published in October 1998 launched a national debate on how the UK might meet its climate change targets. It is the start of a process by which Ministers will take the views of key
sectors and identify the level of commitment to delivering emission reductions.
The report was based on discussions with the suppliers, importers, distributors and users of the various fluids. This helped establish a picture of historical and likely future emissions from the UK by sector assuming various emission reduction scenarios.