The European Union should speed up efforts to reduce emissions of fluorinated gases, such as those used in fridges, says a resolution approved by the European Parliament on September 14 2011.

While climate policy often focuses on carbon dioxide, MEPs say that tougher measures against other greenhouse emissions could be relatively cheap and deliver quick results.

."The F-Gas regulation has fallen far short of expectations", says the resolution, which was drafted by Richard Seeber (EPP, AT) and Theodoros Skylakakis (ALDE, HE) and approved with 578 votes in favour, 51 against and 22 abstentions.

MEPs said that the European Commission should 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.

The European Parliament also wants 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.

Action on HFCs and black carbon could begin within two to three years and be substantially under way within five to 10 years, MEPs said.

Targeting these emissions could be highly cost-effective, they add, since HFCs can be reduced at a public cost of five to 10 cents a ton, compared to 13 euro a ton for carbon.