Policy Framework

The purpose of the TWG Policy is to bring together interested COPA Members, supported by
invited external experts and consultants, to jointly work on identifying and developing policy
interventions suitable for GHG mitigation measures in the ODS and HFC banks sector. The
working group defines its own specific goals, its work plan, and implements activities
together. Meetings take place on a regular basis. Results from the TWG are reported and
presented on demand, including annually to the COPA Plenary.
Mr. Eric Ripley and Mr. Ken Logan from A-Gas and Ms. Ellen Michel from GIZ will set-up and
co-coordinate the Thematic Working Group (TWG) on Policy Framework within COPA during
the initial stage.

Topics

• Policy framework for different country baselines and policy alignment

o How can we ensure that policies are effectively aligned with regulations? How
can we drive policies, strategies, and mitigation towards HFCs and ODS phaseout and sustainable management of ODS and HFC banks?
o Experience of successful policy frameworks for addressing ODS and HFC banks

• ODS disposal plan for India (customs receive ODS for disposal but don’t have suitable
means)

• Leakage reduction (e.g. in supermarket refrigeration)

• How can we avoid reclaimed refrigerant going back into leaky equipment or displacing
alternatives

• EPR regulations
• Centralized data records
• Export/import regulations and transboundary movement (Basel convention)
• Carbon markets
• Business models
• Integration of the ODS and HFC banks sector into NDCs

WORKPLAN & First Steps

The initial work-plan for the TWG Policy in 2023 is provided below based on the topicsmentioned above. The meeting routine will be approximately every two months.

The first topic will be EPR.
1. An online expert talk will be organized by the TWG Policy to exchange with a
representative from Australia or Japan or Europe (for Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment), or Canada to share and discuss their experiences with EPR. A
two-pager on EPR in different countries will be prepared and shared in advance to
the expert talk.
2. As a follow-up, similar expert talks might follow with other country experiences to
deepen the knowledge exchange and highlight different aspects such as timing,
effectiveness, etc.
3. In addition, a virtual workshop on EPR and the link to import / export regulations will
be organized as a deep dive for TWG Policy members who actively want to move
forward here.
Expected output: information on EPR, country case, and pros and cons shared on website

The second topic will be carbon markets as a policy instrument.
Carbon markets, as well as including the ODS and HFC banks sector in NDCs and potentially
generating ITMOs will be worked upon. The exact format will have to be confirmed. The
work will also provide inputs for a potential side event hosted by COPA at COP28.

The other topics will be taken up throughout the year according to active working group.  

ALL WORKING GROUPS