Ozone Fund (German Ozone Protection Advisory and Investment Fund) – Policy Advice, Technical Support and Standards, Capacity Development

Country: Brazil, Burkina Faso, China, Colombia, Egypt, India, Iran, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Mauritius, Mexico, Papua-New Guinea, Seychelles, Togo

Project Background

On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ Proklima designs and implements projects to help countries meet the requirements of the Montreal Protocol. This primarily involves tracking technological developments in Germany and Europe to provide emerging and developing (Article 5, or A5) countries with knowledge and access to the best, most sustainable, and environmentally-friendly technology options. A key component of these projects is the execution of HCFC Phase-out Management Plans (HPMPs), which are divided into three phases: phase I (until 2015), phase II (until 2024), and phase III (until 2030).

The developed concepts must be comprehensive and comply not only with the Montreal Protocol but also with other environmental conventions, particularly those concerning climate protection.

HEAT Services

HEAT offers technical support and expertise to create integrated phase-out management strategies that include the use of natural refrigerants and more energy-efficient technologies, aiming to significantly contribute to both climate and ozone protection.

Policy Advice:

Providing technical advice to the German Government (BMZ) and GIZ on refrigeration and air conditioning.
Advising partner governments and the private sector.
Developing sector-specific policy documents for ozone and climate protection, such as fact sheets and concept documents.
Evaluating technical reports, providing independent assessments and calculations, drafting the German position, and discussing it with BMZ.
Supporting GIZ Proklima’s thematic positioning within the Montreal Protocol process.
Sharing international experiences and best practices.

Capacity Development:

Building capacity among stakeholders and establishing certification schemes in the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) servicing sector. This includes vocational training, capacity building, developing training concepts, curricula, didactic materials, and implementing these concepts and processes. Specific topics integrated into existing curricula include the safe handling of natural refrigerants, energy efficiency, and the environmental impacts of the RAC sector.
Implementing projects in the RAC servicing sector as part of various partner countries’ HCFC phase-out management plans (HPMPs), including training focused on reducing emissions from refrigeration and air conditioning systems. This entails promoting best practices such as refrigerant leakage prevention, recovery and recycling of conventional refrigerants to reduce emissions of ozone-depleting and high-GWP gases (direct emissions), and best servicing practices to ensure efficient system operation, thereby reducing indirect emissions (from electricity).
Conducting outreach and communication activities to raise awareness and promote the safe and sustainable use of energy-efficient, ozone- and climate-friendly refrigerants.

Development of Technical Standards:

Supporting the development of customized industry standards for new technologies, such as equipment using flammable refrigerants or foam blowing agents, to ensure their safe application. HEAT collaborates with independent certifiers, test institutes like TÜV, and relevant actors in partner countries to adapt existing international standards and policy guidelines to local conditions in A5 countries, ensuring the safe and efficient introduction of these technologies.

Project Facts

Client: GIZ

Partner: Ministries of the Environment and National Ozone Units (NOUs) in partner countries, Multilateral Implementing Agencies, National Training Institutes, Industrial Associations and Technical Standard Bodies

Period: multiple contracts since 2019

Volume: > 5 m Euro (multiple contracts)

Last update 01/2024

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Main outcomes:

The project is represented in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The following are examples of the impacts for selected countries:

Brazil

226 trainers have been qualified in best refrigeration practices. In turn, they have trained more than 15,000 RAC technicians nationwide.
Comprehensive training materials and best practice guidelines were elaborated and published, and the training institutes have been equipped with tools and demonstration equipment.
Demonstration projects for better refrigerant containment were implemented in three supermarkets and measures were taken to improve system leak tightness and energy efficiency.
A monitoring tool for better control of the refrigerant consumption and regular maintenance activities was transferred to the Brazilian context.
The project also contributes to the creation of technical standards within the Brazilian National Standards Organization (ABNT) and provides extensive communication and outreach activities.

Kenya

More than 750 RAC technicians have been trained on the safe handling of natural refrigerants. Training institutions supported to conduct hands-on trainings
Over 150 customs officers were informed on control measures of ozone depleting substances. The ‘train the trainer’ approach was conducted to multiply the impact.
Training institutes, environmental and tax authorities were equipped with appropriate technologies, such as control systems for detection of incorrect labelling.
Law enforcement agencies have been supported in their work, as the enforcement and monitoring of licences are the main challenges in the country.
Incentive scheme for introduction of R290 ACs in the local market is ongoing.

Lesotho

Training of trainers (5) in South Africa. Equipping training centres including provision of CO2 coolers for training purposes
Over 150 technicians have been trained in the last 3 years on safe handling of natural refrigerants.
120 customs officers and clearing agents have been trained on how to successfully monitor and control trade in refrigerants

Liberia

Completed implementation of HCFC phase out plan Stage 1, achieving over 60% phase out of HCFC use in the country
Supported standards authority with adoption of ISO 5149
200 technicians and 92 customs officers were trained
3 trainers were sent to South Africa for upskilling and certification
Non HCFC alternatives were demonstrated

Mauritius

Customs trainings have benefitted 270 officers
21 trainers have been trained on safe handling CO₂ and ammonia systems
The University of Mascareignes received a state of the art CO₂ cascade system training model for supermarkets.
The 5 Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD) have all received equipment i.e R290ACs, lokring kits, gauges, recovery units
150 technicians have benefitted from ongoing trainings for upskilling and safe handling of HCs
Also 10MT of R22 was recovered from the freeport of Mauritius through the services of Agas. This recovered refrigerant was then shipped to the reclamation centre of AGas.
Mauritius also adopted the ISO 5149 to provide a basis for good practices in the RAC industry

Seychelles

Assistance was provided to update the regulations to include a environmental fee on refrigerants based on their GWP. This was among the first countries that adopted such a measure
ISO 5149 was also adopted by Seychelles to provide guidelines to practices followed by the RAC industry
2 trainers attended the several weeks long training in South Africa aimed at upskilling the trainers
Conducted technician training targeting approx. 120 technicians on safe handling
Conducted an ammonia safety check of all companies using ammonia.
Adopted handbook to guide ammonia RAC equipment operators in line with the regulations
Adopted HC guide on safe practices to be followed as part of regulatory framework.

Papua New Guinea

Trainers have been trained in Fiji, Australia and Germany on safe handling of HCs
Through the country approx. 350-400 technicians have bene trainers under the HPMP
Customs officers and customs brokers have all be trained on the new measurers. A total of 200 persons have benefitted from these trainings
POMTECH and DBTI the 2 main training institutes have received support in equipment to conduct hands on trainings
The curriculum development authority has developed the National certificate 1 curriculum for implementation
Trainers and assessors have been certified by the NATTB paving the way for certification of technicians
Pilot assessment for prior learning certification and licensing has been conducted. It is being currently further refines to be rolled out in the country
ISO 5149 has been adopted recently and currently being disseminated among the industry to create awareness of its provisions

India

Local training centres were equipped with tools to carry out technical workshops for technicians. This was complemented by ‘train the trainer’ activities.
A total of almost 11,300 Indian RAC technicians were trained.
The curricula were adapted for classes in public and private training institutes and for governmental institutions (e.g. army, railway).
In a second stage, 62 trainers have already been taught through ‘train the trainer’ programmes. The aim of the second stage is to qualify a total of 17,000 technicians.