BU Research Blog

A new study has suggested that the UK, Italy and the Netherlands have under-reported emissions of a potent greenhouse gas HFC-23 which has a global warming potential 15,000 greater than that of CO2. The report, states that Western EU countries produce twice as much of HFC-23 gas as they declare and the lead author – Stefan Reinmann, EMPA, told Research Europe: “it’s a little disturbing that Europe, as one of the most developed regions in the world, is not able to perform a good estimation of its greenhouse gas emissions.” The UK is said to swiftly convert huge quantities of the powerful ‘super greenhouse gas’ 60-140% more than officially reported. Clare Perry of the Environmental Investigations Agency called the situation ‘scandalous’.