By Eamonn Ryan, from the transcript
At the HFC Phase Down Workshop hosted by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) on 16/17 September, Natasha Kochova project coordinator at UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organisation) presented on the topic of the Kigali Implementation Plan (KIP). The following is her presentation. This is Part 1 of a five-part article.
The Kigali Implementation Plan (KIP) marks a significant step in the global effort to mitigate climate change by addressing the reduction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The recent presentation by UNIDO shed light on the progress and strategies involved in this critical environmental initiative. The focus was on the global distribution of HFC emissions, South Africa’s targets, and the challenges faced in implementing the Kigali Amendment.
HFCs, while serving as alternatives to ozone-depleting substances (ODS), contribute significantly to global warming due to their high global warming potential (GWP). According to recent data, refrigerant emissions account for approximately 19% of total emissions, with the remaining 79% attributed to the electricity consumption required to operate these systems. This distribution highlights the dual challenge of managing both the direct emissions from refrigerants and the indirect emissions from energy use.
South Africa’s HFC consumption baseline and targets
South Africa, as a developing country under Article Five of the Montreal Protocol, has committed to an ambitious target of reducing HFC consumption by 80% by 2045. The baseline for this reduction is set using a combination of HFC and HCFC consumption data from the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, expressed in carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents. This approach reflects the GWP of HFCs, which, unlike ODS, do not deplete the ozone layer but significantly contribute to global warming.
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol outlines a gradual phase-down of HFCs with specific milestones for different groups of countries. For developing countries like South Africa, the phase-down schedule includes targets for 2029, 2035, 2040, and 2045. This phased approach allows countries to transition more smoothly while achieving significant reductions in HFC use.
A key element of KIP is the establishment of an HFC licensing system. This system helps manage and track the production, import, and export of HFCs to ensure compliance with the phase-down targets. Additionally, harmonised tariff codes are essential for accurate monitoring and reporting, though challenges remain due to non-specific codes that complicate tracking.