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

Title: RSS Best Practices and Energy Efficiency Training Resources

Description: This side event will showcase key training resources and best practices for the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) servicing sector, with a focus on enhancing energy efficiency and supporting the transition to environmentally sustainable technologies. Organized by UNEP OzonAction in collaboration with AREA, the session will highlight practical tools, training manuals, and capacity-building initiatives designed for technicians, trainers, and National Ozone Units (NOUs).

The event aims to promote knowledge exchange on effective training approaches, share country experiences in using these materials, and strengthen cooperation among international organizations and national stakeholders working on sustainable cooling.

Contact(s):

Sonja Wagner

sonja.wagner@un.org

Title: Unlocking Alternative Cooling Technologies at Scale Towards Kigali+10 and Beyond

Description: This workshop will present a recent taxonomy and assessment of Alternative Cooling Technology (ACT) readiness developed by the Carbon Containment Lab, the International Institute for Refrigeration (IIR), and UNIDO. In addition, participants will engage in a structured discussion to identify priority applications, assess suitability across climatic conditions, and explore alignment with regional economic contexts.Insights from the session will inform the development of a practical decision-support framework for policymakers and identify opportunities to advance ACT deployment through the Montreal Protocol process. ACTs are defined as non-vapor compression heating and cooling technologies that do not use refrigerant gases.

Contact(s):

Oznur Ozturk                  

oznur.ozturk@cclab.org

Title: Building an LRM Ecosystem: Roles of Public and Private Sectors for Sustainable Kigali Amendment Implementation

Description: 

The successful implementation of the Kigali Amendment requires moving beyond the phase-down of HFC production and consumption toward comprehensive management of refrigerants across their entire lifecycle. In this context, Lifecycle Refrigerant Management (LRM) has emerged as a critical approach to ensure effective emissions reduction, prevent leakage, and maximize the recovery, reclamation, and destruction of fluorocarbons.

Drawing on ongoing policy discussions, including the current revision of Japan’s Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons, this side event aims to highlight the importance of establishing a robust LRM ecosystem. Such an ecosystem requires coordinated efforts among government institutions, industry stakeholders, and supporting organizations.

This event will emphasize the essential role of public–private collaboration in overcoming these barriers and achieving sustainable implementation of the Kigali Amendment.

Contact(s):

Makoto Kato

kato@oecc.or.jp

Title: The Future is Now! Proved and Available F-gas Free Cooling Technology

Description: A side event on Green Cooling solutions! Numerous appliances with natural refrigerants are already running today, demonstrating their efficiency and awaiting upscaling. F-gas-free solutions are available for almost all applications, from small household refrigerators to large chillers. We will look at three examples in different countries (tbc): (1) commercial refrigeration with CO2, (2) cold rooms with R290, and (3) textiles with evaporative cooling. The latter approaches cooling differently: the cooling textiles do not use electricity, and they cool our bodies instead of the air. An easy solution for outdoor workers, athletes, and other special situations.

With the Kigali Amendment celebrating its tenth anniversary, it's time to accelerate its implementation. The HFC phase-down can avoid a 0.5C° additional rise in temperature, thereby preventing extreme weather events and saving lives. Let's walk the talk—the solutions are already here.

Contact(s):

Kerstin Kress                      

kerstin.kress@giz.de

Title: Aligning Cooling Policies with Best Practice: Energy Efficiency, Refrigerants and Implementation Pathways

Description:

As demand for cooling products continues to grow, countries are looking to strengthen policies that improve energy efficiency while supporting the transition to climate-friendly refrigerants. This side event will discuss practical pathways for designing and implementing integrated product policies for cooling equipment, including the challenges and opportunities for coordination between energy efficiency, ozone and climate policy teams.

The discussion will combine international guidance, evidence-based tools and country, regional and partner experience, covering energy efficiency and refrigerant-related policy requirements, compliance planning and market readiness. It will also discuss how international best practice can support policy design, target-setting and implementation, drawing in particular on UNEP-U4E’s updated Model Regulation Guidelines for air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps, and the related Country Savings Assessments and Sustainable Procurement Guidelines.

Contact(s):

Miquel Pitarch Mocholi

miquel.pitarch@un.org

Title: Preparing the Servicing Sector for HFC Alternatives to Support Kigali Implementation

Description: The transition to low-GWP refrigerants under the Kigali Amendment is increasing the use of refrigerants that may be flammable and/or toxic, making workforce readiness a critical component of successful implementation. However, technician training and certification systems remain fragmented and insufficient in many developing countries, particularly with respect to the safe handling of HFC alternatives.

This side event will showcase experiences and best practices from both Article 5 and non-Article 5 Parties in developing and implementing service technician training and certification programs. It will highlight effective approaches for building a skilled and certified servicing workforce capable of safely handling HFC alternatives, including flammable refrigerants. The discussion will focus on key lessons, enabling policies, institutional arrangements, and capacity-building models that can help Parties strengthen servicing-sector readiness and support Kigali Amendment implementation.

Contact(s):

Akash Goenka

agoenka@nrdcindia.org