New technologies with natural, energy-efficient refrigerants are gaining ground: but as we move into the future, we must not forget the huge emissions stocks in our old appliances.
Shutterstock / Mikhail P.Due to the increasing demand for refrigeration and air conditioning in developing countries, the stock of equipment, foams and products containing F-Gases (CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs) is rising rapidly. This also increases the number of old appliances from the cooling sector that are not disposed of in an environmentally sound manner. The substances they contain, which are heavily harmful to the climate and the ozone layer, escape unhindered into the atmosphere if not stored and disposed of properly - a huge problem.
Quote UNIDO
"For COPA, UNIDO seeks to support countries in end-of-life strategies, sustainable business models, and green financing when promoting circular value chains for RAC equipment."
Quote UNDP
"UNDP is willing to support the partners to strengthen their systems for the reduction of ODS and HFCs banks emissions."
In the long term, the alliance will contribute to the substantial reduction of emissions from legacy HFCs through technical advice to improve framework conditions, capacity building and the promotion of technology cooperation and transfer, as well as financial support for the development of appropriate recycling and destruction infrastructure.
"Countries face differentiated challenges in managing ODS banks," says Ole Nielsen from UNIDO. "By joining the COPA alliance, we will provide them with technical support, and mobilize financing for re-use and disposal. UNIDO is fully committed to circular economy practices. For COPA, UNIDO seeks to support countries in end-of-life strategies, sustainable business models, and green financing when promoting circular value chains for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment."
Xiaofang Zhou, Director at UNDP's Montreal Protocol Unit, is also convinced of the relevance of the Alliance: "The COPA initiative comes at the right time, as the HCFC consumption was reduced about 50% in developing countries and hundreds of millions of old appliances and air conditioners will be replaced by new technologies in the coming years. UNDP is willing to support the partners to strengthen the system for the reduction of ODS and HFCs banks emissions and demonstrate a cost-effective model that can provide sustained incentives for best practices, including safe end-of-life disposal of the chemicals."
