§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in the negotiation of voluntary agreements with industry on the use of hydrofluorocarbons. [11823]
§ Mr. GummerThe Government have today concluded separate voluntary agreements with the four principal users of hydrofluorocarbons—the aerosols, air conditioning and refrigeration, fire and foams industries. These are the first agreements of their kind in Europe, and reflect the Government's desire to achieve environmental objectives through voluntary action by industry, rather than regulation, wherever possible.
The agreements recognise that in certain applications, HFCs are important alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons which are ozone-depleting substances. HFCs are, however, greenhouse gases with a high global warming potential. The agreements with the industries concerned therefore ensure that, where HFCs are used, emissions to the atmosphere are minimised; and that they are not used where emissions are unavoidable, if safe, practical and more environmentally acceptable alternatives are available.
Under the UN framework convention on climate change, the United Kingdom is committed to returning its emissions of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by the year 2000. Although currently emitted in smaller quantities than some other greenhouse gases, HFCs are significant due both to their high global warming potentials and to the potential increase in their use as replacements for ozone-depleting substances. These agreements will lead to a reduction in HFC emissions and so contribute to the UK climate change programme.