The Green Cooling Initiative (GCI) III, which concluded in February 2025 in Uganda, marked a major success in transforming Uganda’s refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) sector by promoting sustainable practices that will have lasting environmental, climate and economic benefits. The initiative, aimed at reducing the environmental and climate impact of the global RAC industry, not only met its objectives but also set a strong foundation for future green cooling solutions in Uganda.
Achievements of GCI III in Uganda
The project is part of a larger global effort, implemented through the GIZ Proklima program and supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV) under the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The project implementation scope involved Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Kenya, Colombia and Honduras.
This aligns with the Montreal Protocol Agreement and the subsequent Kigali Amendment, which emphasises the phase-out of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) gases commonly used in the foam, and applications, refrigeration and air conditioning sector. Since these refrigerants deplete the ozone layer and/or have high global warming potential (GWP) and thus a negative climate impact, they are being gradually eliminated under the Uganda's commitment to the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment which encourages the adoption of natural refrigerants, which have a low global warming potential and are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) free.
In Uganda, the project was launched in August 2021 with a focus on enhancing the capacity of public and private sector stakeholders to drive a sustainable transformation in the RAC sector. It aimed to increase access to green cooling solutions, provide demand-driven support services, build networks, and identify appropriate financing mechanisms to support the sector’s shift to climate and environmentally friendly greener technologies. By fostering the adoption of ultra-low GWP and energy-efficient technologies, the project directly contributes to Uganda’s national commitment to reduce emissions by 24.7% by 2030, playing a crucial role in the country's climate change mitigation efforts under the national determined contributions, to which the project provided inputs during the revision.. Throughout its duration, the project achieved several key milestones. One of its most significant accomplishments was the establishment of pilot projects at key sites such as the GIZ Uganda country office, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and Kyambogo University (KU), where highly efficient air conditioners (ACs) that use the ultra-low refrigerant R290 natural refrigerant air conditioners were installed. Air conditioner data on energy efficiency was logged and calculated at the GIZ Uganda country office. These pilot projects, have been operational for over two years, served as real-world demonstrations of the technology’s effectiveness, offering valuable experience and knowledge to stakeholders.
To strengthen the local supply chain, the project worked with a local distributor to import and sell one container of R290 ACs at subsidised rates, making green technologies more accessible to the community.
The project also made a significant contribution to the national adoption of international safety standards in Uganda, including ISO 5149 and IEC 60335 which are key standards in ensuring the safety,efficiency, and environmental compliance of refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump systems.
The project also supported the public reviews of East African Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labels for domestic refrigerators and air conditioners, pushing the region’s standards towards energy efficiency.
The Uganda National Association of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (UNARA) also made significant strides in supporting the industry. UNARA established a fully equipped training centre for hydrocarbons, where technicians can receive training at subsidised rates. Through concerted efforts with the National Ozone Unit, the process of establishing the first fully hydrocarbon supermarket refrigeration equipment in Uganda is in advanced stages.
The project overcame challenges like limited access to hydrocarbon tools through partnerships with the National RAC Association, offering discounts to registered technicians. The National Ozone Unit pledged continued support through education, refresher courses, and awareness campaigns. While successful, further curriculum revisions and working groups are needed to enhance hydrocarbon training and advance green cooling policies. The success of The Green Cooling Initiative III has laid a solid foundation for a sustainable RAC sector, with policies and practices that are expected to have long-term benefits for the environment, climate and the economy. The capacity-building efforts, along with the development of local supply chains and networks, will help ensure that the shift to green cooling technologies continues beyond the project’s conclusion.
