On November 5, 2025, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced a major environmental policy proposal to substantially accelerate the phase-out of potent greenhouse gases hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The revised targets aim to achieve a 98.6% reduction by 2048, representing a nearly 20-percentage-point increase over current objectives.
Background
HFCs, widely used in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, have a global warming potential thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide. While current UK regulations follow the EU’s F-Gas Regulation framework, the post-Brexit era necessitates independent emission reduction pathways.
Key Revisions: Phased Acceleration of Reductions
Under the proposal, the existing HFC phase-out timeline under the F-Gas Regulation will be revised starting in 2027. New stepwise reduction measures spanning 2030–2050 will replace the original "79% reduction by 2030" target, introducing stricter long-term goals:
- From 2027: Annual phase-out quotas will be increased;
- 2030–2050: Multiple interim targets will be established, culminating in a 98.6% reduction by 2048.
Public Consultation
To refine implementation details, Defra has launched a consultation open until December 17, 2025. Stakeholders may submit feedback through:
- Online platform: Complete the questionnaire on the government’s "Citizen Space" portal (recommended);
- Email: Send to fgas@defra.gov.uk;
- Post: Mail to the designated London address (must ensure it arrives by the consultation deadline).
Further Information
