FIRST INTER-REGIONAL THEMATIC TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS AND REGIONAL NETWORK MEETINGS FOR NATIONAL OZONE OFFICERS

The United Nations Environment Economy Division OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme hosted the first Inter-Regional Thematic Technical Workshops and Regional Network Meetings for National Ozone Officers on 15th to 19th January 2018 in Paris, France.

The meeting took place in the context of the ongoing phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) under the HPMPs, and the ambitious Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol to phase-down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which commits parties to significantly reduce consumption and production of HFCs. The meeting enabled OzonAction and its implementing partners (UNIDO, UNDP, World Bank and GIZ) to discuss details of the issues currently facing Montreal Protocol Parties in the following three thematic areas: HCFC Phase-out commitments and sustaining compliance with prior targets, the Refrigeration Servicing Sector, and HFC Phase-down.

The specific topics addressed included: strategic direction of HPMPs, technology selection and trends, customs and enforcement, standards and flammable refrigerants, Refrigeration Servicing Sector, Kigali and HFCs, and policy and legislation. Through the meeting, regional perspectives on each of these topics were presented and discussed. Recommendations were also made to help countries resolve the issues.

Additionally, the experiences of countries within the region in dealing with the adoption of standards in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) sector, trade of illegal and unwanted refrigerants, border control and challenges in acquisition of equipment, were deliberated.

Issues of importance to Trinidad and Tobago included the recommendations presented on the various thematic areas, the capacity building tools and materials available for use by the NOU and technicians, the University course on Refrigerant Management available for adoption, and the opportunity to internationally recognize deserving customs and enforcement officials or organizations that have assisted in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol.   

The meeting embraced a participatory approach, allowing the exchange of experiences, discussions and co-operation with all countries present, OzonAction, the Multilateral Fund, implementing agencies and experts.

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was represented at the First Inter-Regional Thematic Technical Workshops and Regional Network Meeting by Mrs. Krysten Harris, HPMP Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant.

Sensitization on Professional Certification of RAC Technicians

The National Ozone Unit together with the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Association (ARIA) has begun to inform procurement officers and general consumers of the benefits of engaging a professionally certified RAC technician. The Photos below are of the session held at UNECLAC.

Refrigerant Labelling Standard Sensitization by TTBS

As we continue to implement the Refrigerant Labelling Standard, the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards held a stakeholder session to gather feedback and  further sensitize importers on the Standard on January 22 2018.  This Standard is one of the hallmark standards of the TTBS as it is one of their processes which has ISO 17025 Accreditation. It certainly is a positive step in the upliftment of the RAC sector.

The impact of the refrigeration sector on climate change

Refrigeration plays an essential and growing role in the global economy, with significant contributions made in food, health, thermal comfort and environmental protection areas. The refrigeration sector includes all refrigeration systems (as well as cryogenic systems), air conditioning and heat pump systems. The total number of these systems in operation worldwide is roughly 3 billion. The sector is expected to grow in the decades to come, particularly in developing countries, where demand for refrigeration is rising sharply. 

This growth must be sustainable, with limited impact on the environment, and Earth’s climate in particular. According to the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) estimates, 7.8% of global greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions are attributed to the refrigeration sector, or 4.14 GtCO2 eq (1). These emissions can be divided into two groups: direct emissions and indirect emissions. 

• Direct emissions 

Direct emissions of refrigerants occur during maintenance operations or when a refrigeration appliance has reached the end of its lifespan, but they can also be caused by leaks during operation. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) are the refrigerants which contribute the most to global warming, as evidenced by their high Global Warming Potential (GWP), up to 15,000 times higher than that of an equal mass of carbon dioxide (CO2 ). Direct emissions are equal to 1.53 GtCO2 eq (1), or 37% of the total GHG emissions of the refrigeration sector. The implementation of the Kigali Amendment — whose aim is to progressively reduce the production and consumption of HFCs — could result in the total of these emissions falling to 0.7 GtCO2 eq by 2050. This drop would represent a 44% to 51% decline in cumulative HFC emissions over the 2015-2050 period. The objective of the Paris Agreement is to “keep the increase of global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels”. In this context, it is important to underline the fact that the Kigali Amendment would prevent a potential increase of average temperatures between 0.1 °C and 0.3 °C by 2100 (not the frequently referenced figure of 0.5 °C). Today, there are many alternatives to high-GWP refrigerants with comparable or superior energy efficiences that can help reduce direct emissions. Examples include ammonia, CO2 , hydrocarbons and HFOs. It should be taken into account, however, that these alternative refrigerants may present certain disadvantages such as safety hazards (flammability, toxicity), environmental risks (decomposition products), high workings pressures, or higher cost. Such disadvantages and risks should be considered, from the design of refrigeration facilities, to the training and certification of operators.

• Indirect emissions 

Indirect emissions are a by-product of the production of energy required to drive refrigeration systems. Three greenhouse gases are generated by energy production: CO2 (90% of indirect emissions), CH4 (9%), and N2 O (1%). Indirect emissions are equal to 2.61 GtCO2eq (1) , or 63% of the total GHG emissions of the refrigeration sector. The first way to reduce these emissions is by lowering the energy consumption of refrigeration systems. While the potential to improve energy efficiency in refrigeration technologies is ultimately limited by the laws of thermodynamics as well as cost-related constraints, it remains very important. Solutions to limit energy losses can still be implemented, such as energy recovery systems or better insulation. Another significant potential is in the rational use of air conditioning and smart control strategies, e.g. selecting comfortable temperatures that are not too low in summer, while avoiding unnecessarily cooling empty rooms. Indirect emissions depend mostly on the primary source of energy used (fossil, nuclear or renewable). 

Contrary to HFCs and HCFCs, which have an atmospheric lifetime of some twenty years, CO2 has a lifetime of several centuries, and plays a role in many climate mechanisms. Consequently, reducing the direct emissions (HFCs and HCFCs) will have a substantial positive effect on the short and medium term while regulating CO2 emissions would have an impact on a longer term.

excerpt from:
35th Informatory Note on Refrigeration Technologies / November 2017 “The impact of the refrigeration sector on climate change”

International Institute of Refrigeration

http://www.iifiir.org/userfiles/file/publications/notes/NoteTech_35_EN_Summary_uz7bwths.pdf

Celebrating the United Nations Environment Ozone Secretariat Policy and Implementation Leadership Ozone Awardees for the English Speaking Caribbean

Distribution of RAC Professional Certification Cards for 2018 Commences

Distribution of Professional Certification Cards for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians for 2018 has begun. A hearty congratulations to all successful candidates and we look forward to continue our collaboration toward improving the sector.

2018 ODS Import and Export Information

The following table identifies companies which have a quota for 2018 for the import of HCFC22 and HCFC 123 and its blends.

Importer	R22	R123
Climate Control Ltd.	✔
Comfort Engineering Ltd.	✔	✔
General Appliances Parts and Services	✔
Maraj Air Conditioning Ltd.	✔
Peakes Technologies Ltd.	✔	✔
Premier Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Ltd.	✔
Ranke Ltd.	✔
Servair Ltd.	✔	✔
Koolmax Ltd.	✔
Atlantic and Gulf Services Ltd.	✔
Clamens and Associates (2000) Ltd.	✔	✔

Kindly be reminded that:

As of January 2008 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and all its blends, all Halons and Carbon Tetrachloride can no longer be imported

As of January 2015 Methyl Bromide can no longer be imported unless for use in Quarantine and PreShipment (and only in allowances of 1 tonne per import and verification of use by Plant Quarantine)

The following gases can also no longer be imported:

R142b and its blends (includes R405, R406, R409, R412, R414, R420)

R124 and its blends (includes R401, R409, R414, R416) 

R415B

·       HCFC 141B (used in foam blowing or as a refrigerant)

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