Publications

The publication has been elaborated by the project ROCA (opens in a new window)(Refroidissement respectueux de l'Ozone et du Climat en Afrique de l'Ouest et Centrale). The project is co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the National Ozone Units (NOUs) and the relevant ministries of the partner countries Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali and Cameroon.

Have a look at our Energy Efficiency Calculator! Use this tool to estimate and compare the running costs, the energy consumption and the emissions of domestic refrigerators or air conditioners in Senegal, Burkina Faso and Mali.

Energy Efficiency Tool

A successful transformation depends on four key pillars:

• Technology development and deployment – Accelerating prototype testing and integrating energy-efficient designs.
• Stronger regulations and policy support – National and global regulatory frameworks must actively incentivise the shift to sustainable refrigerants.
• Capacity building – Technicians must be trained and awareness raised among key industry stakeholders, including shipping companies and regulatory authorities.
• Financial mobilisation and partnerships – Carbon markets, public incentives, and public–private partnerships must be leveraged to ease financial burdens and foster cross-sector collaboration.

To meet the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement and remain competitive in a market that is shifting rapidly toward sustainability, the transition to Greener Reefers is not optional — it is imperative. The white paper “Accelerating the transition to climate and environmentally friendly reefers” outlines immediate steps toward a sustainable future, presenting detailed emissions models that underscore the stark contrast between action and inaction. It highlights the critical importance of scaling up the use of natural refrigerants.

This publication, jointly developed by the Kuehne Climate Center and the GIZ-implemented project Greener Reefers, benefited from the valuable contributions of the shipping and container industry. Their input helped sharpen the content and provide crucial insights into the future of maritime freight transport and logistics. The Greener Reefers project is financed through the International Climate Initiative (IKI) by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).

The publication has been elaborated by the project ROCA (opens in a new window)(Refroidissement respectueux de l'Ozone et du Climat en Afrique de l'Ouest et Centrale). The project is co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the National Ozone Units (NOUs) and the relevant ministries of the partner countries Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali and Cameroon.

Have a look at our Energy Efficiency Calculator! Use this tool to estimate and compare the running costs, the energy consumption and the emissions of domestic refrigerators or air conditioners in Senegal, Burkina Faso and Mali.

Energy Efficiency Tool

Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SVLx_7N83qGHLDT75czemIny7qTjdTS (opens in a new window)

Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SVLx_7N83qGHLDT75czemIny7qTjdTS (opens in a new window)

Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SVLx_7N83qGHLDT75czemIny7qTjdTS (opens in a new window)

Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SVLx_7N83qGHLDT75czemIny7qTjdTS (opens in a new window)

Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SVLx_7N83qGHLDT75czemIny7qTjdTS (opens in a new window)

Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SVLx_7N83qGHLDT75czemIny7qTjdTS (opens in a new window)

This publication was co-financed by the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Ministry for Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) in the context of the International Climate Initiative (IKI).  

It was implemented by GIZ Proklima in collaboration with the Directorate of Environmental Quality Management (DIGECA) of Costa Rica's Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), with the Central American Integration System (SICA) and with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It’s content is GIZ’s responsibility only.

The global projects Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change C4 II (opens in a new window) and C4 are both implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). In the first phase (C4 I) was implemented on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU) from 2016 to 2021. The second phase (C4 II) has been implemented on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) from 2021 - 2025.
 

Based on the data collected and international best practices, recommendations are provided for energy efficiency standards and energy labels for refrigerators and domestic air conditioners. The adoption of advanced energy efficiency standards and the transition to low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants are necessary to achieve significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. It is recommended that, in addition to the label agreed within the UEMOA framework on the energy efficiency of refrigeration and air-conditioning appliances, the label should also contain information on the refrigerant used, its quantity and its GWP. The adoption of increasingly ambitious standards and labels will not result in increased costs for end-users. With the cost of electricity set to rise in the future, the introduction of energy standards and labels, coupled with stakeholders' understanding of the life-cycle cost analysis of refrigeration and air-conditioning products, will lead to energy savings for end-users, which will benefit the Burkinabe economy.

The project ROCA (Refroidissement Respectueux de l’Ozone et du Climat en Afrique de l’Ouest et Centrale) is co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. It is implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the partner countries' national ozone units. In Burkina Faso, the project is implemented in cooperation with the Direction Générale de la Préservation de l’Environnement (DGPE) du Ministère de l’Environnement, de l’Eau et de l’Assainissement (MEEA), to which the national ozone bureau belongs. 

To address the skills needed for natural refrigerants, GIZ Proklima developed the “Fit-for Green Cooling” modules enabling countries to integrate in the TVET curriculum the safety and skills required in handling climate-friendly refrigerant alternatives. The side event was opened by Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh of the DENR highlighting Filipino skills as world class. Philipp Denzinger of GIZ Proklima presented the “Fit-for-Green Cooling” training modules that is readily available for countries, Manuel Azucena of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) presented the experience of the Philippines in integrating natural refrigerants R290, R717 and Re744 in the RAC TVET curriculum of TESDA and finally Jan Dusek of ATMOsphere presented the Cold Chain Innovation (CCI) Hub as a venue for trainings and events in promoting natural refrigerants in the cold chain. Maraida Licerio of GIZ Philippines moderated the side event.  

Moderation: Birgit Mayer, GIZ Proklima

Moderation: Kerstin Kreß, GIZ Proklima

Based on the data collected and international best practice, recommendations are provided for energy efficiency standards and labels for refrigerators and air conditioners. The adoption of advanced energy efficiency standards and the transition to low-GWP refrigerants are necessary to achieve significant greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. It is recommended that, in addition to the label agreed in the UEMAO framework on the energy efficiency of refrigeration and air-conditioning appliances, the label should also contain information on the refrigerant used, its quantity and its global warming potential (GWP).

The adoption of increasingly ambitious standards and labels will not result in higher costs for end users. With the expected increase in the cost of electricity in the future, the introduction of energy standards and labels, coupled with stakeholders' understanding of the life-cycle cost analysis of refrigeration and air conditioning products, will lead to energy savings for end-users, which will benefit the Malian economy.

The project ROCA (Refroidissement Respectueux de l’Ozone et du Climat en Afrique de l’Ouest et Centrale) is co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by GIZ, as a contribution to EU's global initiative "Global Climate Change Alliance (opens in a new window)". The national ozone units and their ministries are the project's main coopearation partners. In Mali, the project is implemented in cooperation with the national department for pollution controle (Direction Nationale de l’Assainissement du Contrôle des Pollutions et des Nuisances (DNACPN)) of the ministry for the environment and sustainable development (Ministère de l’Environnement, de l’Assainissement et du Développement Durable (MEADD)), to which the national ozone bureau belongs. 

Preparations of the European F-gas regulation began as early as 2006. The official phase-out followed in 2014. What lessons learned should be passed on to subsequent countries? Data capture and trainings are two key elements. Philip Owen also emphasises the labelling of energy-efficient appliances to give consumers more orientation. "It is already possible to move away today from HCFC straight to alternatives" he says and brings up the example of split AC based on propane.

The office buildings at GIZ Bonn were built in 2015 (Mäander building) and 2020 (GIZ Campus). Sustainability was very important in the planning process, also in terms of ventilation and air conditioning. Even the refrigerants contained in the heat pumps have been carefully selected. The air conditioning system of the Mäander building is based on 66 kg propane while 450 kg CO2 are used in the Campus building. Both refrigerants are ozone- and climate-friendly due to their very low Global Warming Potential. The air conditioning system based on CO2 is custom-made and all necessary safety measures have been taken at both plants. "We feel absolutely safe", says Mr. Schäfer, technical director of the buildings services at GIZ Bonn. 

Ozone and climate protection is not just a European challenge but a global challenge. However, the European Union is considered a pioneer in F-gas regulation. In order to pass on this early experience, the EU, together with BMZ, supports countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa in reaching their targets of ODS phase-out and early actions on HFCs.

The SPODS project (opens in a new window) in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as the ROCA project in Africa are about policy advice, strategy development, training, new cooling technologies and much more. While SPODS is ending after 3 years of successful cooperation, ROCA is just getting started.

The side event provided insights in both projects and the European Green Cooling approach.

Agenda

Facilitator: Janna Breitfeld, GIZ Proklima

Despite the increasing market growth of split-type air conditioners, window-type ACs still have stable markets in many regions, accounting for about 13 million sales annually. Most of these sold units are featured with a low energy performance and highly climate-damaging HCFC-22 (GWP 1800) and HFC-410A (GWP 2088). However, their compactness, small refrigerant charge and simple installation perfectly qualify them for HC-290 (GWP of 1), holding large efficiency and climate benefits on scale.

In this side event we zoomed into most dominant regional markets, unfolded the GHG mitigation potential that would result from a timely transition to HC-290 (GWP of 1), and discussed design and safety aspects of R290 window-type ACs.

The side event provided insights in the Green Cooling potential of window type ACs.

Agenda

Facilitator: Janna Breitfeld, GIZ Proklima

The office buildings at GIZ Bonn were built in 2015 (Mäander building) and 2020 (GIZ Campus). Sustainability was very important in the planning process, also in terms of ventilation and air conditioning. Even the refrigerants contained in the heat pumps have been carefully selected. The air conditioning system of the Mäander building is based on 66 kg propane while 450 kg CO2 are used in the Campus building. Both refrigerants are ozone- and climate-friendly due to their very low Global Warming Potential. 

Intarcon is a global supplier for packaged refrigeration units and solutions for the catering and food distribution sectors and the industry. The company distributes systems that operate with natural refrigerants. Discover Intarcon's refrigeration systems based on propane, CO2 and ammonia!

Agenda

Facilitator: Janna Breitfeld and Julia Schabel, GIZ Proklima

Organiser: GIZ Proklima on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (opens in a new window) (opens in a new window) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (opens in a new window) (opens in a new window).

Roche sends biotechnological medicines from its distribution center to more than 23 countries in the entire Central American and Caribbean region. Two cold rooms with the natural refrigerant R290 store all products requiring a cold chain of 2°C to 8°C degrees, mainly medicines for cancer treatment. A freezing room is used to store refrigeration elements to maintain the cold chain during transportation.

RSF provides insights into how they installed refrigeration systems at a Coca Cola plant in Costa Rica and what considerations played a role in doing so. The systems used, equipped with ammonia, are highly energy efficient and climate-friendly. Additionally, the refrigeration, air conditioning and process water systems are equipped with monitoring devices to avoid waste. 

Mabe is the leader for home appliances in Latin America. The company's goal is to eliminate the conventional refrigerant R134a and replace it with the natural refrigerant R600a. Since the start of this project, Mabe has avoided emissions to the environment of more than 240,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

The MOPT replaced its old ACs by inverter ACs based on R290 refrigerants. A total of 20 eco-efficient air conditioners were installed in 2019.

Grenz Concept is an AC distributor based in Grenada. The company installed the first R290 unit in May 2019. Since then, the success of these units has been tremendous: Costumers are very happy with these ACs based on hydrocarbons.

Modern Electrical Solutions is an AC distributor based in Grenada. Founded in 2012, the company keeps Grenada naturally cool by installing R290 units to replace climate damaging refrigerants.

Agen­da

Facilitators: Mónica Silva González, Maria Carolina Velez, Janna Breitfeld (GIZ)

Organisers: European Commission and GIZ Proklima on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

Why are projects like SPODS so important? Philip Owen has many answers to this question. It is crucial to get the knowledge into the market so that the technologies are available. Furthermore, the trainings conducted within the SPODS project are an important part.  Another aspect is the networking effect. "A problem shared is a problem halved", says Philip Owen.

The handbook, which was first published in 2013, is structured into ten modules. Modules 1-5 are related to establishing the GHG emissions baseline and reduction scenarios. Modules 6-10 contain guidance on how to prepare suitable roadmaps and to provide for enabling policy, market and financing environments. Further the modules offer guidelines for the development of implementation plans including aspects for the realisation of co-benefits and the monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of emission reductions.

How does SPODS help to reach European and international targets in the field of ozone and climate protection? First of all, it is important to emphasize that "The climate challenge is not a European challenge, it's a global challenge." The EU was one of the first movers and can show in this project that a HFCF phase-down is possible and can provide tools to facilitate implementation. "And perhaps they can do it better than we can", he adds with a smile.

Asked the other way around: What can the EU learn from the SPODS partners in Latin America and the Caribbean? There's a lot! The experience with the use of refrigerants and technologies in hot and humid climates is very valuable.  "Engineers will report back and we will learn from this", says Philip Owen. He concludes that "All the projects are always a two-way street." Here we are sharing both, the policy aspect and the effective deployment of the technologies.

Many thanks to Philip Owen for this enriching interview!

These papers are part of the project ‘Management and Destruction of Existing Ozone Depleting Substances Banks’ funded by the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) under its International Climate Initiative (IKI) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.