SADC RAC Association Conference

COPA 5-steps LRM Approach at SADC 8 - 10 October 2025

Chairperson: Igobe Mbulawa                                    

In October 2025, Botswana hosted this year's Southern African Development Community (SADC) Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (RAC) Association's Interactive Conference in Tlokweng. This invitation-only event brought together RAC Associations, national ozone units, industry, and partners to share best practices, strengthen collaboration, and advance Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment commitments. 

At the event, COPA was represented by the event chairperson Ms. Igobe Mbulawa, NOU for Botswana and COPA Steering Committee member.  

The Climate and Ozone Protection Alliance (COPA) presentation from Ms Mbulawa built on the LRM discussion, a core topic at the conference, by introducing a 5-Step Sustainable Lifecycle Management Framework which integrates both technical and financial strategies.

The LRM framework introduced was developed through COPA work and emphasizes:

• Assessment of national capacities and gaps in refrigerant management;

• Stakeholder coordination across government, private sector, and training institutions;

• Awareness and education targeting technicians and end users;

• Institutional and policy strengthening to sustain national initiatives;

• Financial mechanisms and business models to ensure long-term viability.

COPA encourage NOUs to consider innovative financing such as cost-recovery schemes, service-based models, and partnerships with equipment suppliers to sustain refrigerant recovery activities.

The presentation also noted that building private sector participation is key, as public funding alone cannot maintain long-term infrastructure.

Through its ongoing regional engagement, COPA aims to bridge technical expertise with financial sustainability, ensuring that LRM and energy-efficiency objectives are achievable at both the country and regional level."

View or download the COPA presentation at SADC here! (pdf file)