The European Union's executive arm said the gases -- found in refrigerators and air-conditioners, especially in cars -- represented a dangerous threat to global temperatures unless curbed.

The Commission proposed for EU member states to reduce their emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride by 23 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent by 2010.

Fluorinated gases are also used in aerosol propellants, vehicle tyres, self-chilling drinks cans, fire extinguishers and even the heel bubbles incorporated into several popular brands of trainers (sneakers).

Currently, the gases account for only two percent of total EU greenhouse gas emissions.

But their potential to warm the atmosphere is high and many of them have long lifetimes, the Commission warned.

Sulphur hexafluoride has a global warming potential 23,900 times that of CO2, which is the most common greenhouse gas, it said.

"This new proposal demonstrates our strong commitment to implement the Kyoto Protocol in the EU, by putting in place cost-effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom said.

"This proposal, together with the Community's many other emission reduction measures, such as the EU emission trading scheme, lays the foundations for an effective framework to combat climate change," she said.

Emissions of fluorinated gases are rising as use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) -- identified in the 1980s as a major threat to the ozone layer -- is phased out.

Unless action is taken now, the Commission said, emissions of the gases will rise by about 50 percent to 98 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2010.

The proposal by Brussels would in particular seek to phase out the gas HFC-134a in air-conditioning systems fitted in new vehicles.

Emissions from this sector are forecast to soar from 1.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 1995 to 20 million tonnes in 2010 in the absence of corrective action, according to the Commission.

Under the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, the EU is aiming to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases by eight percent below 1990 levels over

But the 15-nation bloc is struggling to meet its targets, with greenhouse-gas pollution by the EU rising for the second year running in 2001, according to the European Environment Agency.

And the 1997 Kyoto Protocol is itself under threat from the refusal of the United States and Australia to sign up to its terms and Russia's reluctance to ratify it.

SPACE.WIRE