www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I November 2024 5
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AND WHEREAS implementing an effective climate change response is a national sustainable development priority as set out in the National Climate Change Response White Paper , while the Republic ’ s Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement , as may be varied from time to time , anticipates ;
( a ) the realisation of significant socio-economic and environmental benefits in a manner that is driven and customised in the light of national circumstances , developmental , transformational , empowering and participatory , dynamic and evidence-based , balanced , cost-effective , integrated and aligned . ( b ) supports a just transition to a climate-resilient , equitable and internationally competitive low-carbon economy and society , that takes into account the risks and opportunities that are expected to arise as a consequence of implementing the national climate change response ;
AND WHEREAS responding to climate change raises unique challenges to effective governance as its impact transcends and challenges traditionally sectoral governance approaches , which require a nationally driven , coordinated and cooperative legal and administrative response that acknowledges the significant role of the provincial and municipal spheres taking into account the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act , 2005 ( Act No . 13 of 2005 );
AND WHEREAS climate change policy needs to be implemented in the context of sustainable development objectives and the achievement of national development goals , it is desirable to develop a legal and institutional framework for the implementation of the Republic ’ s national climate change response , in order to address these matters .
• Commercial refrigeration including different types of equipment , from vending machines to centralised refrigeration systems in supermarkets
• Industrial processes including chillers , cold storage , and industrial heat pumps used in the food , petrochemical and other industries
• Transport refrigeration including equipment and systems used in refrigerated trucks , containers , reefers , and wagons
• Stationary air conditioning including air-to-air systems , heat pumps , and chillers for building and residential applications
• Mobile air-conditioning systems used in passenger cars , truck cabins , buses , and trains
Data for research was / is collected as follows :
• Stakeholders in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector in South Africa were identified by means of desktop research and the membership lists of the various industry associates in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector , such as the South African Institute of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning ( SAIRAC ), the South African Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Contractors ' Association ( SARACCA ) and SARDA .
• Other sources included the members of the DFFE ’ s Chemical Management Hydrochlorofluorocarbons ( HCFC ) working group , and importers and exporters listed in the International Trade Centre ( ITC ) website ( Market Analysis and Research ). Other literature and statistical data sources provided the activity data for other sub- applications , e . g ., eNaTIS for vehicle data for mobile air conditioning and transport refrigeration and Stats SA for data on the number of households with refrigerators .
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer ( a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer ) is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion . HFCs and , to a limited extent , PFCs are ODS being phased out under this protocol .
The Kigali amendment focuses on global warming . According to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines , current application areas of HFCs and PFCs include refrigeration and air conditioning ; fire suppression and explosion protection ; aerosols ; solvent cleaning ; foam blowing ; and other applications ( equipment sterilisation , tobacco expansion applications , and as solvents in the manufacture of adhesives , coatings , and inks ).
Under the national inventory we find the following category descriptions . According to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines , refrigeration , and air-conditioning ( RAC ) systems may be classified in up to six sub-application categories :
• Domestic refrigeration
To add some context we need to consider the national F gas registry . Looking at the national inventory around South Africa ’ s F gas emissions we find estimates of HFC and PFC emissions were estimated for the sector in South Africa .
Emissions for F-gases have increased from 0.2 % to 1.3 % between 2000 and 2022 . F-gas emission estimates varied annually and contributed 1.3 % to overall emissions in 2022 . Emissions increased from 2011 due to the addition of hydrofluorocarbons ( HFCs ) emissions from air conditioning , foam blowing agents , fire protection and aerosols . Emissions increased from 2011 due to the addition of HFC emissions from air conditioning , foam blowing agents , fire protection and aerosols . The elevated F-gas emissions are therefore not necessarily only due to an increase in emissions and include the incorporation of new categories . The total environmental effect however remains . The replacement of ozone depleting substances did contribute to this increase .
Cognisance should be made with regards to the Kigali Amendment which effectively places all commonly used HFCs used
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I November 2024 5