§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to encourage the development of sustainable refrigeration technologies. [41904]
§ Angela EagleThe DETR, through its Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme, encourages the development of sustainable refrigeration technologies by the dissemination of independent, authoritative information such as Guides and Case Study material, on energy efficiency best practice. Also, through the future element of the Programme, it is able to offer financial assistance to those companies who are interested in researching and developing the energy efficiency technologies and techniques of the future.
There are other programmes under which proposals of this type could be considered, for example LINK, SMART, and research funding through the relevant Research Councils. Consideration is also given to such technologies under the Partners in Technology scheme.
220WThe Government also encourage the refrigeration industry to sign up to the declaration of intent which it has agreed with the industry. This discourages the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) for any application where a risk of high emissions exists, by promoting the use of safe, reasonably practical, environmentally acceptable and energy efficient alternatives where available.