§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to restrict the use of the gas HFCߝ134. [2083]
§ Angela EagleHFC-134a and other HFCs are greenhouse gases but do not damage the ozone layer. They have an important role to play in phasing out the use of ozone depleting substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol. The Government fully supports the concept of minimising emissions of HFCs and has voluntary agreements with the refrigeration, foam, fire, aerosols and vehicle air conditioning sectors to do so. Whilst the Government recognises that the responsible use of HFCs as replacements for ozone depleting substances can be justified, it is unlikely to be convinced that any new emissive applications of HFCs are necessary. Recent reports of plans to market self-chilling drinks cans, which would use and emit HFC-134a, are a very worrying development and the Government is urgently considering what action should be taken.