Organizer: GIZ Learning from a leapfrogging success story to implement the Kigali Amendment

Description: A quarter of a century ago, the first "Greenfreeze" came off the line. It was the world's first CFC and HFC-free refrigerator that went into mass production despite huge opposition from the industry. Since the early 1990s, the global refrigerator production increased significantly to about 100 million units per year. Today, hydrocarbon technology accounts for around two thirds of the global annual production of domestic refrigerators and freezers. It is expected that this share will grow further in the context of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which controls the use of very climate damaging CFC-substitutes called HFC. Germany was an important ally in the early years by promoting pilot projects for the construction of CFC/HFC-free Refrigerators in China and India. The cooperation between Greenpeace, GIZ Proklima and the German manufacturers marked a clear milestone in the global dissemination of green refrigeration technology under the umbrella of the Montreal Protocol. During this side event we take a look back on this remarkable success story of leapfrogging, get insights in challenges and opportunities from a manufacturer and reflect on lessons learnt for new fields of action (e.g. Unitary Split ACs).

Organizer: UNDP Description:The panelists will discuss the challenges and opportunities of using natural refrigerants as HCFC-22 replacements in the commercial air conditioning manufacturing. The case study of the demonstration project for the use of R-290 (propane) as an alternative refrigerant in the commercial air conditioning manufacturing with ranges between 3.5 kW (1 ton of refrigeration) and 17.5 kW (5 tons of refrigeration) will be presented and discussed. The project was implemented at Industrias Thermotar Ltda. in Colombia with the technical support from UNDP and funding from MLF.

Organizer: UNDP Description:Examples of demonstration projects on HCFC-22 replacements in Belarus (water based absorption chiller), Tajikistan (free cooling technology) and Uzbekistan (low charge ammonia) will be presented with elements of efficiency analysis. Examples from Ukraine (HCFC phase-out in the foam sector) will also be discussed. Panelists will discuss challenges and opportunities of ozone-friendly, low-GWP and energy-efficient alternatives including natural refrigerants’ market in CEIT countries.

This side event is exceptional in the sense that: - The region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia has rarely been highlighted in side events at the MOP/OEWGs and presents specific conditions which will be useful to highlight with all MP Parties. The support of the GEF, a unique specificity or the Europe and CIS region will be presented. This si all the more important in a year when the 7th Cycle of the GEF is starting (July 2018), with specific funding planned for Montreal Protocol following the adoption of the Kigali amendment. - Eastern Europe, but even more Central Asia, is a region presenting interesting features in terms of limited access to new climate-friendly natural refrigerants alternatives, a situation which is useful to present to Parties. Comparison with other regions facing similar challenges will be opportune during the questions and answers’ session.

In Belarus, replacement of HCFC-22 through use of water-based absorption refrigerating machine (ARM) used in the A/C system of two facilities of food producer company, Santa Bremor LLC, with a total area of 9,200 sq. mt. Absorption cooling technologies save up to 1,148,000 kWh of electric energy/year in comparison with compressor refrigeration units (with HCFC-22). The ARM reduced GHG emissions by 707 tons of CO2 equivalent and reduced electricity consumption by 1,750,000 kWh.

In Tajikistan, cellular network operators (Babilon-Mobile, Megafon and Tcell) implemented free cooling technology for the Base Transceiver Stations to reduce ODS emissions and repair rates of A/C equipment in base stations as well as to increase energy efficiency. A total of 33 demonstration projects were successful implemented throughout the country with an average energy efficiency of 64% in southern provinces and 70-90% in the northern/eastern provinces. Post-implementation monitoring revealed that 1 station equipped with the free cooling technology equipment might save up to 9,000 kW/h of electricity and reduce CO2 emissions by over 10,000 kg in a year. During one full year of the new A/C equipment operation, servicing costs decreased 55-65%, the A/C equipment lifespan increased by over 40%, and HCFC leakage was significantly reduced (up to 60%).

In Uzbekistan, demonstration project for the replacement of HCFC-22 based chillers with low charge ammonia chillers was implemented to renovate the centralized air-conditioning system of the Republican Research Center of Emergency Medicine (RRCEM), the largest emergency medical facility in Uzbekistan. Two ammonia chillers (R717) with total capacity of 1695 kW and 80kg of charge were installed and reduce 320kg of HCFC-22 emissions. Initial challenges on this technology conversion demonstration are noted as initial investment cost, experience in the selected technology and safety issues.

In Ukraine, the replacement of HCFC141b by natural solutions (methylal) will eb described, in the specific context of the country at the moment.

Demonstration projects were implemented with technical support by UNDP and funding from Global Environment Facility.

Please note that, if required, the UNDP GEF-funded project will aim to ensure simultaneous interpretation, in case the speakers are more at ease speaking in Russian than in English."

Organizer: CEEW Description: This event aims to highlight the role that regulatory frameworks have played in phasing-out HFCs in different parts of the world, and the lessons therein for other countries aspiring to do so.