As part of the NDC4 webinar series, three expert-led sessions in April 2025 provided practical insights into sustainable cooling technologies and their integration into national climate strategies. From the use of R290 as a climate-friendly refrigerant to advanced MRV systems and HFC baseline tools, the webinars highlighted effective approaches to reducing emissions in the RAC sector and strengthening NDC implementation.
NDC4 Webinar Series: Advancing Sustainable Cooling and Climate Reporting
In April 2025, the NDC4 webinar series continued with three thematic sessions addressing key technical and policy aspects of sustainable cooling and its integration into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Targeted at professionals from government institutions, technical agencies, and climate policy circles, the webinars provided practical insights and tools to support climate-compatible development in the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sector.
Webinar #9: R290 – A Sustainable Cooling Revolution (3 April 2025)
In response to the increasing global demand for air conditioning, the first session focused on the climate impact of conventional split-type air conditioning systems and highlighted R290 (propane) as a low-global-warming-potential alternative. Participants were introduced to the updated R290 Resource Guide, which showcased best practices and case studies of R290 implementation in RACHP equipment. The webinar also addressed key challenges such as safety concerns and technical adoption barriers, emphasizing R290’s potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while enhancing energy efficiency.
Webinar #10: Enhancing NDCs with MRV – Green Cooling Solutions for Mitigation Action (10 April 2025)
The second session focused on the importance of integrating Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation (MRV) systems into NDCs to ensure the transparency and effectiveness of mitigation actions. The webinar introduced a minimodule on an exemplary MRV system tailored to the cooling sector, offering participants a foundational understanding of MRV strategies. Key components included establishing emission baselines and identifying relevant indicators to measure climate impacts of Green Cooling solutions—technologies which are widely available and considered highly cost-effective.
Webinar #11: Introducing the HFC Emission Baseline Tool for Enhanced NDC Reporting (24 April 2025)
The third session presented the newly developed HFC Emission Baseline Tool, designed to support countries in quantifying and reporting emissions reductions linked to hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phase-downs. Using available consumption data, the tool enables the development of robust baselines for inclusion in national climate reporting under the Paris Agreement. Practical guidance from the NDC Cooling Guide complemented the session, offering insights on integrating HFC data into NDC documentation.
Together, the three webinars underscored the pivotal role of technical innovation, capacity-building, and strategic climate reporting in accelerating the transition to low-emission cooling solutions. By providing concrete tools and actionable knowledge, the NDC4 series continues to support countries in aligning RAC sector transformation with their national and international climate commitments.