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Associations
To comprehensively understand the measures taken to address refrigerant emissions , it is essential to familiarise ourselves with several significant global treaties :
• Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer ( 1987 ): The Montreal Protocol is an international environmental treaty aimed at protecting the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozonedepleting substances ( ODS ), including CFCs and HCFCs . It sets specific reduction targets and schedules for the phase-out of these substances , leading to the recovery of the ozone layer .
• Copenhagen Amendment to the Montreal Protocol ( 1992 ): This protocol aimed to accelerate the phase-out of CFCs and HCFCs . It set more ambitious reduction targets and an accelerated schedule for the complete phase-out of these substances , taking into account technological advancements and the availability of alternative substances with lower environmental impact .
• Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( 1997 ): While the Kyoto Protocol primarily focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions , it indirectly contributes to the reduction of HFC emissions . It established binding emission reduction targets for several greenhouse gases , including HFCs , by setting specific emissions limits for developed countries during the first commitment period ( 2008-12 ).
• Beijing Amendment to the Montreal Protocol ( 1999 ): This amendment further strengthened the Montreal Protocol by setting additional reduction targets for HCFCs and introducing financial provisions to support developing countries in their efforts to phase out these substances . It also established a fund , the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol , to assist developing countries financially and technologically .
• Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol ( 2016 ): It specifically addresses the phasedown of HFCs , setting targets and schedules for reducing the production and consumption of HFCs , which are potent greenhouse gases used as substitutes for CFCs and HCFCs . The amendment aims to avoid up to 0.5 ° C of global warming by the end of the century and provides a framework for transitioning to more environmentally friendly alternatives .
These treaties have been instrumental in curbing the emissions of ozone-depleting substances and high global warming potential gases like CFCs , HCFCs , and HFCs . They have encouraged the development and use of alternatives that have lower or no impact on the ozone layer and contribute less to climate change . Through these international agreements , significant progress has been made in protecting the ozone layer and mitigating climate change .
Phase down
Commencing in 2024 , South Africa embarks on the phasedown of HFCs with a gradual reduction in the volume of imported refrigerants . Consequently , if the current level of imports stands at 100 tons , the new limit will be 90 tons . However , this transition cannot occur overnight due to the considerable lifespan of installed refrigerant systems , which typically spans 20 years .
The phasedown process is anticipated to be a gradual and protracted transition , and significant changes are not expected in the immediate two to three years . However , we have begun observing the emergence of air conditioning systems utilising R32 , a refrigerant boasting a superior GWP of
less than 750 . While this presents a more favourable option , it is essential for technicians to undergo training in handling the new refrigerants and be aware of their inherent hazards when not handled properly . In the long run , natural refrigerants represent the optimal choice ; unfortunately , the necessary hardware is not currently available within the country .
Regulatory requirements play a critical role in guiding the industry towards sustainable practices . However , there have been notable delays in governmental decision-making processes . For instance , despite the Kigali Amendment being introduced in 2016 , South Africa ratified it only three years later . Currently , the country relies primarily on outdated standard environmental acts as the sole government regulations . In 2012 , the HCFC phase-out national plan was introduced , followed by the publication of the National Environment Management Air Quality Act in 2014 , which specifically addressed the phase-out and management of ozone-depleting substances . South Africa ' s ratification of the Kigali Amendment occurred in 2019 . In 2021 , an amendment was published ; however , it failed to provide substantial guidance on the future phasedown in accordance with the Kigali Amendment . Consequently , a pervasive sense of uncertainty prevails , and a comprehensive roadmap for
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RACA Journal I July 2023 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za