48th meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties

Title: U.S. Refrigerant Transition Update

Description: An Update on the U.S. Refrigerant Transition from Industry Experts

Contact(s):

Samantha M. Slater 

SSlater@ahrinet.org

Title: Building on a Decade of Kigali: China's Experience - Technology Innovation and Energy Efficiency Toward Synergistic Action

Description: The adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol marked a significant step forward in global efforts to address climate change through the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

China, as one of the largest producers and consumers of ODSs and HFCs, has played a critical role in this transition. China has developed a robust policy and regulatory framework, strengthened institutional capacity, and advanced sectoral transformation.

This side event aims to showcase cutting-edge technologies and best practices in energy efficiency providing a platform for sharing technical insights, highlighting the role of international partnerships, and discussing forward-looking approaches to support enhanced mitigation efforts toward 2035, with relevance for other developing countries.

Contact(s):

Paloma Somohano

paloma.somohano@undp.org

Title: Kigali at 10: From Refrigerant Transition to Sustainable Cooling Delivery

Description: Ten years after the adoption of the Kigali Amendment, the implementation question is no longer limited to refrigerant transition. Cooling demand is now projected to more than triple by 2050 under business as usual. The policy landscape is moving, but unevenly. As of 2025, 29 countries had established specific cooling-sector emissions targets, 134 had integrated cooling into national climate or energy strategies, and 74 countries had joined the Global Cooling Pledge, covering nearly 80% of global cooling emissions. Yet only 54 countries were assessed as having comprehensive policies aligned with the Sustainable Cooling Pathway. This gap between policy recognition and implementation is where the next decade of Kigali delivery will be won or lost.

Connecting Kigali implementation with equipment efficiency, passive cooling, and sectoral applications is a key delivery space. This event will focus on the next implementation phase of Kigali, moving from refrigerant transition as a stand-alone compliance agenda to sustainable cooling delivery across equipment, buildings, and cold chains.

Contact(s):

Marisofi Giannouli 

marisofi.giannouli@un.org

Title: Advancing Energy Efficient Low-GWP Technologies in Mobile Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems in Article 5 Developing Parties

Description: This side event will demonstrate the transition to low-GWP, energy efficient refrigerants in the motor vehicle air-conditioning and heat-pump (MAC) sector.

Presentations will focus on 1) pilot applications of natural refrigerant carbon dioxide (CO2 -R-744) in China and natural refrigerant propane (R-290) in India under the CCAC/UNIDO projects, including technical feasibility and implementation challenges; 2) Cambodia's experience in strengthening the MAC servicing sector and Bangladesh's focus on energy efficiency in MACs under the Kigali Implementation Plans (KIPs); 3) leadership of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in an integrated strategy of best MAC service practices during the rapid phaseout of R-134a and the transition to all electric vehicles; and 4) progress by SAE International in the global choice of R-290 for heat pump systems in all-electric vehicles with co-benefits of affordability, driving range, and system reliability.

Contact(s):

Tanisha Devjani

tdevjani@igsd.org

Stephen Andersen

soliverandersen@aol.com

Title: Dehumidification in Air-Conditioning: Technologies, Efficiency, and Climate Opportunities

Description: This side event marks the official launch of an IIR technical publication reviewing the full landscape of dehumidification technologies for air-conditioning applications. The event will feature short presentations by the authors and co-editors, followed by a structured discussion on technology selection, energy efficiency challenges, and opportunities for international collaboration.

Participants will gain an overview of the publication's findings and be invited to engage with experts on priority applications, suitability across climatic zones, and pathways to wider deployment of advanced dehumidification solutions.

Contact(s):

Souhir Hammami             

s.hammami@iifiir.org

Title: Reducing Energy Demand and HFC Dependence Through Next-Generation Technologies

Description: The Kigali Amendment set the trajectory for phasing down hydrofluorocarbons, but reducing demand for mechanical cooling in the first place remains the fastest and most cost-effective path to cutting both HFC consumption and energy-related emissions. 

At the same time, the cooling technology landscape is evolving rapidly. Radiative cooling surfaces, advanced insulation materials, hybrid fan-AC systems, and solar-powered off-grid solutions are moving from laboratory to market. As the Montreal Protocol community marks the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment, the question is no longer only how fast to phase down HFCs, but how to build a cooling system that needs fewer of them. 

This side event will examine how passive cooling and next-generation technologies can accelerate Kigali compliance by reducing the demand that drives HFC consumption, and what policy, market, and financing conditions are needed to scale them. 

This side event will examine how passive cooling and next-generation technologies can accelerate Kigali compliance by reducing the demand that drives HFC consumption, and what policy, market, and financing conditions are needed to scale them.

Contact(s):

Marisofi Giannouli 

marisofi.giannouli@un.org