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 4 of a five-part article.
Moving forward
To ensure the successful implementation of the Kigali Implementation Plan (KIP), South Africa must:
- Complete and endorse the draft KIP report
- Ensure that import quotas and data reporting are synchronised with customs and industry data
- Identify and tackle any obstacles in the regulatory framework and phase-down activities
- Develop and deliver training and awareness programs to support stakeholders through the transition.
While the path to reducing HFCs is complex and requires careful planning, KIP provides a structured approach to achieving significant environmental benefits. South Africa’s commitment to this plan, along with effective management and stakeholder engagement, will be crucial in meeting the set targets and contributing to global climate goals.
Addressing questions and next steps in KIP
During the discussion, a key question arose concerning the slide that illustrated the distribution of greenhouse gas emissions in the HVAC and refrigeration sectors. Specifically, the slide indicated that refrigerant emissions constitute about 19% of total emissions, while electricity consumption accounts for approximately 79%. This raised concerns about the seemingly high figures compared to previous research.
The slide in question was sourced from a presentation by Daikin, which provided a global perspective on greenhouse gas emissions throughout the HVAC and refrigeration equipment lifecycle. The high percentage of energy consumption is significant because it reflects the considerable impact of electricity use on overall emissions, especially when considering that the source of electricity—whether green or fossil fuel-based—affects the total emissions. Therefore, the transition to more energy-efficient systems alone may not drastically reduce emissions unless the electricity source itself becomes greener.
It was highlighted that while switching to lower-GWP refrigerants is crucial, energy efficiency is equally important. Improvements in energy efficiency will reduce electricity consumption, which is essential for overall emission reductions. The Kigali Amendment requires both reductions in HFCs and improvements in energy efficiency to effectively tackle climate change.