Brussels, September 2012 – Following the Meeting of the Montreal Protocol Open-Ended Working Group in Bangkok on 23-27 July, the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment praises the work of the European Union on a proposed amendment on the phasedown of HFCs, despite the non-result of international delegates to make notable progress on a proposed phasedown amendment.

EPEE, the European association of manufacturers of heating and cooling equipment, is concerned by the stalemate in negotiations on a critical amendment on global freeze and the phasedown of HFCs for the fourth year in a row. This amendment in question has been supported by 108 developed and many developing countries.

EPEE commends the strong support by the European Union for the proposed amendment, despite continued objections from several nations to create a contact group. In addition to the EU’s support of this amendment, EPEE acknowledges the work of European leadership in trying to move forward on a proposed international amendment by several parties on the phasedown of HFCs, so that F-gases can be dealt with under the Montreal Protocol to control emissions.

EPEE also welcomes the progress made on the signature of the Bangkok Declaration, which attracted confirmation from 108 countries to establish the Montreal Protocol as the optimal forum for taking effective global action on these HFCs.

In light of the upcoming Review of the F-gas Regulation in the EU, the European Union’s role in these international negotiations in Bangkok sends a positive message on the commitment of European leadership in regards to this urgent issue. EPEE was also at Bangkok the position that Montreal and co-sponsored an event with International Council of Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Manufacturers Associations (ICARHMA) promoting ways to reduce HFC emissions.

Notes to the Editor:

The European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE) represents the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump industry in Europe. Founded in the year 2000, EPEE’s membership is composed of 40 member companies and national associations across Europe realising a turnover of over 30 billion Euros and employing more than 200,000 people in Europe. As an expert association, EPEE is supporting safe, environmentally and economically viable technologies with the objective of promoting a better understanding of the sector in the EU and contributing to the development of effective European policies. For more information please visit: www.epeeglobal.org