The European Commission launched a public survey on strengthening EU measures to reduce emissions of fluorinated gases. In addition, the Commission adopted a study which shows that EU's existing Regulation on fluorinated gases is having a significant impact but that, without further measures, F-gas emissions are expected to remain at today's levels in the long term.

The public consultation launched by the European Commission seeks the citizens opinions on strengthening EU measures to reduce emissions of fluorinated gases, a group of industrial gases which are extremely powerful contributors to global warming. The contributions can be made until the 19 of December 2011. On the other hand, the Commission also published a review which identifies wide scope for further cost-effective emission reductions, mainly due to the growing feasibility of replacing F-gases in several sectors with alternatives that make less or no contribution to climate change. According to the report, the EU could potentially eliminate up to two thirds of today's fluorinated gas emissions by 2030.

Also this report shows that 2006 F-gas Regulation shows that this measure and a parallel Directive addressing the use of fluorinated gases in mobile air conditioning are already contributing to the achievement of EU and Member State emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. The policy is expected to prevent almost half of projected F-gas emissions by 2050 if shortcomings in their implementation and enforcement are rectified. The Commission therefore calls upon Member States to intensify their efforts in this respect. Besides, the European Parliament recently approved a resolution that demands stricter rules to reduce emissions of fluorinated gases.

Nonetheless, total F-gas emissions are not expected to decrease in the long term compared to today's level, despite these significant impacts of the current legislation. This is because they are being used in a growing number of appliances, such as air conditioners and refrigeration. These are, however, among the sectors where the use of alternatives is becoming increasingly feasible.