Promoting innovative solutions for sustainable cooling

Project description

Title: Green Cooling Initiative III
Commissioned by: Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI)
Country: Global (Honduras, Kenya, Colombia, Thailand, Uganda, Viet Nam)
Lead executing agency: 

• National Ozone Unit, Ministry of Environment and Forestry – Kenya,
• National Ozone Unit, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS) – Colombia,
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) – Thailand,
• National Ozone Unit, Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment – Honduras,
• National Ozone Unit, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) – Uganda
• National Ozone Unit, Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment – Viet Nam

Overall term: 2012 to 2024

Context

Rising temperatures, growing population numbers and increasing prosperity are resulting in greater demand for cooling and air conditioning, particularly in the global south. At the same time, conventional cooling technologies using artificial, climate-damaging refrigerants and large amounts of energy are contributing to the greenhouse effect, and some of them are attacking the ozone layer.

Transitioning to ozone and climate-friendly cooling (Green Cooling) could avert 0.5°C of global warming by the end of the century.

Green Cooling refers to the combination of natural refrigerants that harm neither the ozone layer nor the climate, and highly energy-efficient appliances. In the best-case scenario, they are powered with electricity from renewable energy. Good building insulation and natural cooling methods such as shade and greening, for example, are also important.

Objective

Policymakers support the transition to climate-friendly cooling and air conditioning solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also integrate Green Cooling into their national climate strategies.

Approach

The project operates in four main areas:

It advises its partners on building efficient processes and structures for the transition.

In addition, it pilots innovative technologies in line with the conditions in the respective countries to demonstrate the high emissions reduction potential of Green Cooling.

The project also supports training centres for cooling technicians in setting up courses for further training. It also promotes certification mechanisms for handling natural refrigerants.

Furthermore, it encourages cooperation by linking policymakers, technology experts, academic institutions and NGOs involved in cooling and air conditioning in the Green Cooling network.

Last updated: November 2021