WRITTEN QUESTION E-4120/00 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Harmful environmental effects of air-conditioning in cars.
Date: 2001-01-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, air conditioning, air quality, energy consumption, environmental impact, greenhouse gas, pollution control measures, vehicle

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/139

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(19 February 2001)

In their contacts with the Colombian government, the Union representatives have repeatedly stressed the
importance of making progress on the issue of human rights, including taking effective initiatives in order
to counter the activities of the paramilitaries. The Colombian authorities are showing an increased
willingness to respond to these calls. First steps, such as the laying-off of army officers involved in
in civilian courts, have been taken by the
human rights violations and trials of military personnel
government, but there is obviously still a long way to go and the international community needs to
continue its active human rights policy.

As to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s question on preventing killings, the Commission and the Member States(cid:146)
role can only be limited. It is up to the Colombian authorities to take the necessary steps in terms of
security measures.

The Commission will, of course, ensure that any information on possible threats against the civilian
population, are immediately passed on to the Colombian authorities.

(2001/C 187 E/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4120/00

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(11 January 2001)

Subject: Harmful environmental effects of air-conditioning in cars

Is the Commission aware of the report published in the Dutch newspaper (cid:145)De Volkskrant(cid:146) on
1.
4 November 2000 that half of new cars in the Netherlands and as many as 80 % of new cars in Germany
are fitted with air-conditioning systems and that
is used not only for cooling the
temperature on hot days but also increasingly for defrosting and demisting windows and mirrors in
winter? Can the Commission confirm these figures and trends or does it have alternative data?

this equipment

Can the Commission confirm that the increasing use of air-conditioning consumes more fuel and
2.
that
ten years now is
the coolant HFC-134a that has been used in air-conditioning for about
a hydroflurocarbon which has a greenhouse gas effect 1300 times more potent that CO2, and thus
makes a significant contribution to global warming despite the fact that it is chlorine-free and therefore
less deleterious for the ozone layer that the notorious CFCs used as refrigerants in the past?

Is the Commission aware that the HFCs used in refrigerators and as blowing agents for foam
3.
insulation and polyurethane foam are increasingly being replaced by hydrocarbons such as butane, pentane
and heptane, so far above suspicion, but that they are still being used in car air-conditioning systems,
which have an annual leakage of 25 % and constantly have to be topped up so that ultimately, after CO2,
they are the most important artificially created greenhouse gas?

4.
Does the Commission share my concern about the damaging effects of the growing use of HFCs as
coolants, not least because of the greenhouse effect and the obvious difficulty that the Member States have
in meeting the commitments entered into as a result of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change?

5.
Does the Commission share the wish expressed by researchers and environmental activists that the
car industry should be required to reduce leakage of coolant and find alternatives that do not produce
greenhouse gasses and use less fuel? Does it not consider that (cid:129) in view of the ominous environmental
impact (cid:129) we would be misguided to place all our hopes and trust in self-regulation by the market?

C 187 E/140

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2001)

The Commission is aware of the fact that air-conditioning equipment is increasingly fitted in passenger
cars. However, the Commission has no solid statistical figures on the percentage of cars equipped with air-
conditioning in the Community. Estimates of future trends show, as a rule, a further increase in the fitting
of air-conditioning equipment in passenger cars.

The use of mobile air-conditioning is associated with an increase in fuel consumption. Exact figures are not
known since the increase in fuel consumption depends on where the car is used. Additional
fuel
consumption because of fitting cars with air-conditioners seem to be over three times higher in southern
Member States compared to northern ones. Fuel consumption also depends on other parameters that are
related to the efficiency of the equipment. The test procedures for cars do not cover the use of air-
conditioning equipment. However, a recent study made for the Commission estimated that the average
European vehicle is likely to emit over its lifetime about 17 grams of carbondioxide (CO2) equivalent per
kilometre more due to the increased emission from mobile air conditioning. This includes CO2 emissions
due to increased weight, leakage of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC)-134a over the lifetime, leakage of HFC-134a
of end-of-life vehicles and extra fuel consumption due to use. This estimate takes into account that HFC-
134a has a greenhouse gas potential of 1300 compared to CO2 (based on a global warming potential of
fluorinated gases in mobile air
100 years). Another study expects that emissions from the use of
conditioning will increase from potentially 1,4 million tons of CO2 (1995) to 14,9 million tons of CO2
in 2010. This potentially very significant increase is a reason for concern.

The Commission is aware that for many applications in the refrigeration and foam blowing sectors there
are alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFCs), which are neither
ozone depleting substances nor have a significant global warming potential. When these alternatives are
technically feasible and cost-effective (such as ammonia and hydrocarbons in many applications in
stationary refrigeration) they are increasingly being used. As regards mobile air-conditioning, HFC has to
date been the preferred choice for refrigerant with safety matters an important consideration. Various
measures have been identified in on-going work on limiting emissions of HFC gases to the atmosphere
from mobile air-conditioning. These include changes to the design of air-conditioning systems to minimise
refrigerant charge, a reduction of leakage rates and an improved collection and recycling of refrigerants.
The availability of qualified staff and the establishment of adequate procedures in Member States are
critical factors for success.

HFCs are mainly used to substitute the ozone depleting gases, CFCs and HCFCs, which are controlled by
the Montreal Protocol. In many applications other gases, like ammonia or even CO2, could replace HFCs
and the Commission is encouraging such developments. The Commission has been addressing for some
years now the issue of the negative repercussions of the use of HFCs on the greenhouse gas effect within
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other international fora. The establish-
ing of a programme for the reduction of HFC emissions, and other fluorinated gases controlled by the
Kyoto Protocol, is part of the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP). The environmental implica-
tions of increased demand for refrigeration as well as for cooling of homes, offices and vehicles (e.g.
because of the increase HFC emissions and energy consumption) is a concern that needs to be addressed
seriously so that the Community will reach its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 8 % in
2008-2012, from 1990 levels.

Hence, the Commission is aware of the negative direct and indirect effects of mobile air-conditioning on
global warming. Emissions due to mobile air-conditioning are on the preliminary list of priority actions

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/141

within the European Climate Change Programme and have been mentioned as a source of pollution to be
addressed by the Environment Council of 10 October 2000. Expert Groups on vehicle technology and on
fluorinated gases in the framework of the ECCP are investigating the issue of mobile air conditioning.
Recommendations for action will be included in the final report of the ECCP.

(2001/C 187 E/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4123/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(11 January 2001)

Subject: Eels and elvers

Eels and elvers are a declining species in much of Europe.

Has the Commission implemented any measures (or is it intending to implement any measures), to
preserve eels and regulate fishing for eels?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2001)

The Commission is fully aware of the problems concerning the European eel stock but has not proposed
any measures apart from those already implemented by Member States.

Work is proceeding on the preparation of a Community-wide management plan for eel. However the
initial time frame for this proposal has changed as the Commission has not yet been provided with the
requested information about possible measures by the International Council for the exploration of the sea
(ICES). ICES has, however, in the meantime analysed the eel situation in the United States and Canada
where similar concerns about the eel population have recently been raised. The report became available
by November 2000 and indicates that the advice on possible measures for the other side of the Atlantic
might also be applicable to Europe. The Commission will therefore reflect on this advice before finalising
the management plan for the European eel.

(2001/C 187 E/150)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4125/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(11 January 2001)

Subject: Hydrogen fuel cells

Will the Commission indicate its views on the replacement of the internal combustion engine with
hydrogen fuel cells and state whether it has any plans to give serious consideration to this project within
the EU?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(2 March 2001)

As the Honourable Member quite correctly indicates the use of hydrogen in combination with fuel cells is
discussed as a possible future solution for replacing combustion engines in the automotive industry or for
generating power and supplying heat and/or electricity in homes, commercial/business buildings and
industries.