§ Dr. WhiteheadTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what 15W research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the environmental benefits of adopting HCs as the standard refrigerants; [43173]
(2) what alternative refrigerants to HFCs which produce lower greenhouse gas emissions and do not deplete the ozone layer his Department is currently evaluating. [43168]
§ Angela EagleHydrocarbons (Hcs) are one of a number of refrigerants which can be used in some refrigeration systems as an alternative to ozone depleting substances and HFCs. The Government do not promote one refrigerant over another but encourage users to choose the safest, most environmentally acceptable and energy efficient system for each particular refrigerant application.
The DETR through its Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme has carried out a small project investigating the energy efficiency benefits of HC refrigerants compared to HFCs and is also producing a guide on absorption refrigeration (refrigeration that is powered by waste heat). The programme also keeps abreast of developments in international collaborative research.
In addition there are a number of projects being looked at under DETR's Partners in Technology scheme and at the Buildings Research Establishment aimed at encouraging the use of natural ventilation, as opposed to use of refrigerant based air-conditioning systems. The main thrust of this work is improved energy efficiency, but the spin-off benefit is less use of refrigerants.
§ Dr. WhiteheadTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates he has made of the amount of CFCs released into the atmosphere annually as a result of the dumping of refrigerators in the United Kingdom. [43172]
§ Angela EagleBased on a study being carried out for my Department, the Government estimate that domestic refrigerators containing about 450 tonnes of CFC refrigerant are taken out of use each year. Around 300 tonnes of this may be emitted to the atmosphere, either from refrigerators that are not returned for recycling or from the residue of CFCs that remain in the refrigerator after the refrigerant has been recovered.
§ Dr. WhiteheadTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the environmental impact of the use of HFC as substitutes for ozone-depleting gases in refrigeration equipment. [43171]
§ Angela EagleThe Government are currently planning to fund some research this year to update our estimates of current and likely future emissions of HFCs from the UK. This work will include consideration of the use of HFCs in all sectors including the refrigeration sector.
§ Dr. WhiteheadTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of the United Kingdom' s greenhouse gas emissions he estimates HFCs will contribute in the year 2010. [43167]
§ Angela EagleThe Government estimate that HFCs will contribute approximately 1% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions calculated in terms of the global warming contribution in 2010.
16W