Cold drivers create hot problems

Date published: 25/10/2005

Drivers who want to stay cool are making the planet hotter, a Rochdale Euro-MP has warned.

A fluorinated gas used in air conditioning systems now being fitted to most new cars is believed to be making a growing contribution to climate change.

The gas, known as HFC134a, has a global warming potential 1,300 times greater than carbon dioxide, giving it significance even when used in only small quantities.

Tomorrow (Wednesday 26 October) the European Parliament is set to ban the gas in mobile air conditioning systems and require its replacement with alternatives less likely to affect global warming.

But MEPs and ministers have responded to claims by car manufacturers that the use of different gases will require entirely new air conditioning designs by delaying the start of the ban till 2011.

Rochdale MEP Chris Davies, the Liberal Democrat member of the European Parliament's climate change team, is critical of the delay.

He said: "I don't have air conditioning in my own car and until a few years ago no-one else had it either.  Just as the risk of global warming began to be recognised car manufacturers started to use gases that make the problem even worse.

"It's good that action is being taken by the EU but if climate change was being given more priority we would have introduced an immediate ban and told hot drivers to open their car windows until the new systems are ready!"