MEPs approved a resolution that demands stricter rules to reduce emissions of fluorinated gases. They also stated at the resolution that European climate policy often focuses on carbon dioxide whereas tougher measures against other greenhouse emissions could be relatively cheap and deliver quick results.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution that asks the Commission to propose changes to existing rules to speed up the reduction in emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)and and the phasing out of ozone-damaging hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These gases are used in some fridges and air conditioning systems. Besides to this resolution, the Council agreed last June in keeping working to reach the 2020 target of a 20% reduction in greenhouse gases.

At the resolution approved, Parliament also requested the EU to reduce emissions of "black carbon" (or soot), e.g. through stricter testing of car emissions. Black carbon particles have a potent effect because in the air they absorb heat from the sun, and on the ground they speed up melting of snow and ice.

According to MEPs, action on HFCs and black carbon could begin within 2-3 years and be substantially under way within 5-10 years. Targeting these emissions could be highly cost-effective, they add, since HFCs can be reduced at a public cost of 5-10 cents per tonne, compared to €13 per tonne for carbon.