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On Wednesday, the European Commission released three draft legislation on green areas, which respectively set new requirements for controlling industrial emissions, reducing fluorinated greenhouse gases and phasing out ozone-depleting substances.

Draft amendments to the Industrial Emissions Directive. First, when revising permits or setting new conditions, the authorities of member states will be required to use stricter emission limits for pollutants. About 80 percent of licenses currently adhere to the legal minimum. Second, the EU framework for preventing and controlling industrial emissions will become more forward-looking and innovative, including the establishment of an innovation Centre for industrial transformation and emissions. The third is to expand coverage to more animal husbandry and industrial activities. Previously, the directive covered about 50, 000 industrial facilities in the EU (about 30, 000 large industrial plants and about 20, 000 large poultry and pig farms). These facilities emit about 50 per cent of sulphur oxides, heavy metals and other hazardous substances, and 40 per cent of greenhouse gases and 30 per cent of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions, respectively. Under the revision, all cattle, pig and poultry farms with more than 150 livestock units (Lsus) will be covered by the directive, totaling 185,000. The move will increase the coverage of intensive cattle, pig and poultry farms to 13 per cent of the eu's largest livestock farms. In addition, 1,500 to 1,900 new industrial facilities are included in the draft. Fourth, a greater focus on energy, water and resource efficiency and reuse, promoting the use of safer, less toxic or non-toxic chemicals in industrial processes. Fifth, wherever possible, ensure that pollution and carbon reduction technologies are implemented simultaneously, leveraging synergies between technology and investment to achieve optimal health and environmental outcomes.

Draft amendment to the Law on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases. Fluorinated gases currently account for 2.5% of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions. The draft will reduce the EU's co2 equivalent by about 40 million tonnes by 2030 and an additional 310 million tonnes by 2050 by cutting fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions. To this end, the proposal would tighten the quota system for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCS) to reduce the potential climate impact of new HFCS entering the EU market by 98 per cent between 2015 and 2050. Introduce new restrictions to ensure that fluorinated gases are used only in new equipment where there are no suitable alternatives. In addition, enforcement and punishment of illegal trade in fluorinated gases and equipment will be strengthened.

Draft amendments to regulations on Ozone Depleting Substances. Introducing new measures for products already legally using ozone depleting substances (ODS) to reduce emissions by 180 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent and 32,000 tons of ozone depleting potential (ODP) by 2050. The draft requires that ODS should be recycled or destroyed from insulation foam when buildings are refurbished or demolished to achieve most of the additional emissions reductions. In addition, EU authorities will strengthen law enforcement and supervision to crack down on environmental violations related to the illegal production and sale of ODS.