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problem is that while dozens of countries have minimum
energy performance standards and energy labels, many are
outdated or unenforced. Inadequate standards and labels
leave countries vulnerable as dumping grounds for products
that cannot be sold elsewhere.
By producing clear guidance, the guidelines can ensure that
standards and labels are effective.
Aside from the energy profile, many refrigerants have a
global warming potential that is well over 1 000 times as potent
as carbon dioxide. Under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal
Protocol, countries will phase down hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)
refrigerants – one type of such climate-warming gases – by
over 80% over the next 30 years. The climate benefits are
significantly enhanced by improving energy efficiency while
phasing down hydrofluorocarbons. According to the latest
research, moving to best available cooling technologies
would reduce cumulative emissions by 38 – 60 gigatonnes
of CO 2 equivalent by 2030 and 130 – 260 gigatonnes of
CO 2 equivalent by 2050.
“To get the most climate and development benefits from
the refrigerant transition, we need a combined strategy that
links the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons required by the
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RACA Journal I April 2020
Kigali Amendment with improved cooling efficiency. This
includes integrating policies for enhanced cooling efficiency
into the broader frameworks of energy and climate policy,
and the enhanced nationally determined contributions of
the Paris Agreement,” said Gabrielle Dreyfus, chief scientific
advisor, Kigali Cooling Efficiency Programme (K-CEP). “These
new model guidelines offer well-proven policy options to
promote energy efficiency.”
The guidelines are another strand to a global movement
to make cooling efficient and climate friendly. The Cool
Coalition—a global network connecting over 80 partners—also
works to expand access to cooling while reducing the climate
impact. Its partners from industry and government are all
pledging concrete initiatives to make the cooling industry part
of the climate solution.
Over 60 technical experts from around the world contributed
to guidelines, which were issued by U4E and co-authored with
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Natural Resources
Defense Council. RACA
Source: UNEP
www.hvacronline.co.za