Thirty-Seventh Meeting of the Parties

Title: Holistic approach to enhancing energy efficiency of cooling equipment 

Description: This side event will explore a comprehensive strategy to enhance the energy efficiency of cooling equipment as we phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). We will highlight the necessity of a holistic approach that goes beyond simple equipment upgrades, emphasizing the critical roles of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), product redesign, improved testing facilities, and capacity-building measures. Furthermore, we will discuss effective options for increasing the market uptake of energy-efficient cooling technologies. By taking this integrated approach, we can prevent a rebound effect and the lock-in of inefficient technologies, ensuring that the HFC phase-down delivers significant net energy savings, benefits consumers, and reduces overall cooling demand.

Contact(s):

Yunrui Zhou

y.zhou@unido.org

Jay Manepalli

j.manepalli@unido.org

Title: 30 Years of Promoting Natural Refrigerants: Visions and Lessons Learnt by the German Bilateral Cooperation

Description: Since 1995, Germany implements 20% of its contributions to the Multilateral Fund (MLF) bilaterally by GIZ Proklima. Our mission: supporting countries in phasing out ODS and phasing down HFC as quickly as possible by direct leapfrogging from HCFCs to natural refrigerants combined with energy-efficient appliances. In short: Green Cooling. Natural refrigerants such as hydrocarbons or CO2 do not deplete the ozone layer, have a very low Global Warming Potential and do not decompose into harmful forever chemicals (PFAS). In this side event, we will explain our approach and showcase examples of technology transfers in different refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) subsectors around the globe. 

Contact(s):

Kerstin Kress

kerstin.kress@giz.de

Title: Achieving Multiple Benefits and Quick Results through National Lifecycle Refrigerant Management (LRM) Plans

Description: This side event will present the CCAC Practical Guide for the development of national plans for refrigerant life cycle management (LRM) in Article 5 countries for discussion and consultation, which aims to support 100 countries funded by the Multilateral Fund to develop fluorocarbon banks inventories and national plans to address these. It will also feature case studies of experiences in countries on various elements of an LRM plan, to inspire other Article 5 countries on possible solutions for reducing unnecessary fluorocarbon leaks, helping with ozone and climate protection, and resulting in health and economic benefits for all.

Contact(s):

Denise San Valentin

denise.sanvalentin@un.org

Title: Making Lifecycle Refrigerant Management Viable: Regional Models, Policy Tools, and Carbon Finance Pathways for Scalable Impact

Description: This side event will explore practical strategies to operationalize Lifecycle Refrigerant Management (LRM) across developed, developing, and least developed country (LDC) contexts. Speakers will present comparative case studies from national programs in developed, middle income, and least developed countries to illustrate on-the-ground barriers, enabling conditions, and lessons for replication.

The session will feature a regional model being developed by A-Gas in Asia that links refrigerant recovery networks with destruction infrastructure, supported by underutilized LRM technologies and new carbon finance pathways. The business case integrates capital and operating costs, CO2e mitigation potential, and projected revenues from both reclaimed refrigerant sales and offset credits.

Contact(s):

Louise McCann

louise.mccann@agas.com

Title: Cooling the AI Revolution: Efficiency and Kigali Amendment Pathways for Data Centres

Description: The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, and digital services is driving unprecedented growth in data centres, particularly in developing countries. These facilities are among the most energy-intensive in modern economies, with cooling systems alone accounting for 20-50% of their total electricity use. If unmanaged, the rise of AI-driven data demand could significantly increase both energy consumption and refrigerant-related emissions.

This side event will explore how sustainable cooling solutions can power the AI revolution responsibly. It will highlight pathways to enhance energy efficiency and accelerate the transition to low-global warming potential (low-GWP) refrigerants under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

Contact(s):

Patrick Blake

patrick.blake@un.org

Title: Enforcement of the Montreal Protocol: From Policy to Action to Combat Illegal Trade

Description: This side event will showcase the latest efforts to strengthen enforcement of the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment, translating policy commitments into tangible actions. It will highlight how Parties are supported in developing, implementing and enforcing national legal frameworks to meet their obligations under the Protocol. The session will feature the presentation of key tools and resources, including, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for controlling shipments of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the fourth edition of the Customs Training Manual, operations DEMETER, and a report on enforcement actions supporting compliance with the Montreal Protocol.        

Contact(s):

Tatiana Terekhova  

tatiana.terekhova@un.org

Title: From Policy to Practice: Integrating Energy Efficiency and HFC Phase-Down into World Bank Sustainable Cooling Operations

Description: Global demand for cooling is rising rapidly due to increasing temperatures, urbanization, population growth, and the growing need for cold chains in agriculture and fisheries. This surge, coupled with inefficient cooling technologies and high-GWP refrigerants, is driving up electricity demand and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, posing challenges to compliance with the Kigali Amendment. The event will highlight the World Bank’s analytical and operational work on sustainable cooling, sharing insights from recent regional studies, project implementation experiences in the fisheries sector, and innovative financing mechanisms, including approaches to leverage the Energy Efficiency Revolving Fund (EERF). Through these integrated perspectives, the session will explore pathways to scale up sustainable cooling solutions.

Contact(s):

Jaeeun Koo

jkoo1@worldbank.org