INTRODUCTION
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RACA Journal Publication www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za eamonn @ interactmedia . co . za
Editor : Eamonn Ryan
THE CLIMATE CHANGE ACT IS LAW
In an important step toward a sustainable future , President Cyril Ramaphosa late last year officially signed the Climate Change Act into law . This legislation marks a significant milestone in South Africa ' s commitment to addressing climate change , outlining a comprehensive national response that includes crucial mitigation and adaptation strategies . The Climate Change Act , endorsed on July 23 , 2024 , aims to streamline and align policies , ensuring that our transition to a lowcarbon , climate-resilient economy is coherent and effective .
Indeed , the Act was nothing new – it simply codified everything which has been decided in regulations and international agreements such as the Kigali Amendment . As South Africa faces the increasingly severe impacts of climate change across various sectors — ranging from agriculture to human health — the Act sets a framework to enhance our capacity to reduce greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions while simultaneously creating job opportunities in the burgeoning green economy . By fostering collaboration between national departments , this legislation aims to ensure athat our commitments under the Paris Agreement are not only met but exceeded .
The Act also establishes the Presidential Climate Commission , tasked with advising on the nation ’ s climate strategies . This body will play a vital role in guiding South Africa towards a just transition , ensuring that vulnerable communities are supported and that our development goals remain achievable .
In a time when the effects of climate variability are becoming more pronounced — affecting food security , water access , and overall biodiversity — this legislation comes
as a necessary response to an urgent global challenge . It acknowledges our constitutional right to a healthy environment and highlights our international obligations to reduce GHG emissions as part of the global climate response .
As for 2025 , engineers have long balanced optimism with realism , recognising the flaws inherent in existing systems while remaining hopeful about their capacity to drive meaningful progress . Over the past thirty years , this sector has actively sought innovative solutions to tackle the environmental challenges posed by traditional refrigeration methods . Yet , despite significant advancements , pressing issues such as climate change , energy security , political instability , and resource depletion persist , compelling us to ask : “ Have we done enough ?” and “ What more must we do ?”
MAIN CHALLENGES IN REFRIGERATION SYSTEM DESIGN The refrigeration sector faces three primary challenges :
• The quest to mitigate the ozone depletion and global warming potential ( GWP ) of refrigerants remains a top priority , heavily regulated by agreements like the Montreal and Kyoto Protocols .
• Energy efficiency influences both operational costs and environmental emissions . The push for more efficient systems often encounters daunting initial investment hurdles .
• Adherence to national and international safety regulations is crucial to prevent accidents and ensure the reliability of systems .
International agreements tend to evolve slowly . The phase-out of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons ( CFCs ) spans over 40 years , culminating in a complete ban on substances such as R-22 by 2030 . Similarly , energy efficiency improvements are stymied by fluctuating energy prices and the upfront costs associated with new technologies . Safety measures , while indispensable , often struggle for financial justification despite their importance .
The delicate balance between ozone depletion and global warming has led to necessary compromises . Simple metrics like GWP ratings fail to encapsulate the full scope of environmental impacts , making the transition an ongoing process . While advancements in natural refrigerants — such as hydrocarbons like propane ( R-290 ) and isobutane ( R-600a )— have gained traction , challenges remain . Carbon dioxide , though effective in commercial applications , is still considered cost-prohibitive and less efficient compared to HCFCs and HFCs .
As we enter 2025 , it is imperative to assess refrigeration technologies within the broader context of climate agreements . This is a topic that will be front of mind and both RACA Journal and Cold Link Africa will keep readers abreast of changes .
Eamonn
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