Shedding light on individual country’s
estimated remaining CFC bank and their handling
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COPA – Pointing a light on a blind spot
The global demand for refrigeration and air conditioning continues to grow, significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. In response to the Montreal Protocol’s Kigali Amendment, the sector is working to replace highly climate damaging hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants with more sustainable solutions. However, there is a blind spot left behind.
Outdated or end-of-life refrigerants, including foams, are not being managed in an environmentally sound manner, and lead to the accumulation of so-called ODS and HFC banks. These emit substances (CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs) that harm and deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. Each year, approximately 1.5 Gt CO2-eq are released from improperly managed or disposed refrigerants. This corresponds to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 441 coal-fired power plants. Currently, there are no global agreements or infrastructures in place to address this challenge.
This is where COPA – the Climate Ozone Protection Alliance – steps in.
Together with partner countries and diverse actors, the Alliance accelerates the mitigation measures urgently needed to address accumulated amounts of Ozone Depleting Substances and Hydrofluorocarbons.
HOW WE WORK
COPA works jointly with partner countries and diverse actors across private and public sectors to advance the holistic solutions needed to reduce ODS and HFC banks, and ultimately complete the shift in the cooling sector to sustainable refrigerant management.
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News and Events
COPA 1st Plenary Meeting and Introduction of the Steering Committee
COPA's first plenary session (online) will be held June 20-21, 2023. for alliance members only. The objective of this session is to introduce the steering committee, provide an opportunity for our members to connect with each other and finally to present some of the ongoing pilot projects and the progress of the working groups .
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New publication on how to conduct an inventory of used or unwanted controlled substances: ODS and HFC Banks
On May 9, 2023, the updated version of the Guideline to Conduct an Inventory of Used or Unwanted Controlled Substances: ODS and HFC banks was released. in the framework of the webinar: Sustainable ODS and HFC banks management through complementary action of the Climate and Ozone Protection Alliance to the Multilateral Fund, it was officially announced
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Webinar: Sustainable ODS and HFC banks management through complementary action of the Climate Ozone Protection Alliance to the Multilateral Fund
On May 9th, COPA hosted a webinar for National Ozone Officers and representatives of implementing agencies.The aim was to present COPA's objectives and the efforts of the Multilateral Fund (MLF) to address ODS and HFC banks, and to identify COPA’s synergies with the MLF funded action on ODS and HFC banks management.
Learn MoreOUR WORKING GROUPS
Together with partners and stakeholders from academia, the private sector, civil society and policy makers, we are working on the following topics:
Policy
Framework
For an effective management of refrigerants and foams at end-of-life, suitable policy measures are required like venting bans or mandatory recovery.
Technology
Solutions
Working towards the best technical solutions for ODS and HFC recovery,
reclamation and destruction.
Financing
Mechanism
Developing financial mechanisms for sustainable GHG mitigation measures in ODS and HFC banks.
Implementation
Models
Putting theory into practice and demonstrating how sustainable refrigerant management can be implemented.
Old appliances containing ODS and HFC substances represent a blind spot when it comes to climate action. At the same time this sector carries a huge cost-effective and sustainable mitigation potential. I am convinced that COPA can support a global shift to sustainable refrigerant management.
COPA COUNTRIES
