MEPs ratchet up planned EU curbs on f-gases

The European parliament's environment committee has called for much stronger EU controls on fluorinated greenhouse in stationary applications. Voting on a draft regulation in Brussels on Tuesday, the committee also said member states should be able to maintain stricter national bans.

Refrigeration industry trade body Epee claimed the committee had taken a "step back for sensible policy making on climate change" and had chosen "the most costly and disproportionate options". But Greenpeace hailed a "victory in the battle against global warming" that "vindicates those progressive countries and companies that have already switched to climate-friendly alternatives."