International Treaties
Policy instruments
Currently, the cooling sector accounts for up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions (EIU, 2019) (opens in a new window). This makes it one of the key sectors for combating the climate crisis. The switch to Green Cooling is not just a decision of the consumer or the manufacturer: it is a political issue.
The political realm understood early on that national solutions are not sufficient in the fight against the climate crisis. Global warming knows no borders. It is therefore important to set climate targets within international agreements to achieve the most far-reaching success.
Click on the arrow to slide through the relevant international agreements.
Image: NASA licensed under CC BY 2.01987: Montreal Protocol
At an August 1985 meeting in Prague, atmospheric scientist Pawan Bhartia presented this satellite-based image that revealed for the first time the size and magnitude of the Antarctic ozone hole. The discovery ultimately led to the 1987 Montreal Protocol. The treaty requires all participating states to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. It is the first environmental agreement ratified by all member countries of the UN – and it is also the most effective one as it has phased-out 99 per cent of nearly 100 ozone-depleting chemicals. The ozone layer has been recovering since it came into force.
Click here to learn more on the Ozone Secretariat's Website (opens in a new window).
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International treaties such as the Paris Agreement and the Montreal Protocol form the basis of our work. In order to become effective, they must be supplemented by national and regional instruments. These include, for example, bans on certain refrigerants or financial incentives when investing in sustainable cooling systems.
Go to our page for policy makers to dive deeper!
