Preventing the Dumping of Inefficient Cooling Equipment with High Global-Warming-Potential Refrigerants Share SHARE Facebook share Twitter LinkedIn Copy URL Email Breadcrumb Home Preventing The Dumping of Inefficient Cooling Equipment With High Global-Warming-Potential Refrigerants Environmental dumping of cooling equipmentEnvironmental dumping of cooling equipment is the practice of selling outdated, inefficient cooling equipment—often using obsolete refrigerants—in markets of vulnerable developing countries. These products, which fail to meet efficiency and environmental standards in developed countries, find their way into regions where regulations are less stringent.Why environmental dumping of cooling equipment is a problem?High Energy Use: Inefficient cooling appliances consume significantly more electricity, leading to increased energy costs for consumers.Environmental Harm: Outdated refrigerants in these appliances release harmful substances into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and ozone depletion.Economic Burden: Developing countries end up spending more on maintenance and energy, which could otherwise be invested in growth and development. Image Environmental dumping not only affects the countries that receive these products but also has global implications by increasing greenhouse gas emissions and delaying climate action. The Montreal ProtocolThe Montreal Protocol is a landmark international treaty aimed at phasing out substances that deplete the ozone layer. It has been instrumental in regulating refrigerants like HFCs and HCFCs, which are used in cooling appliances. The Kigali Amendment, added in 2016, specifically addresses the reduction of HFCs—potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Challenges for Developing CountriesDeveloping countries are particularly vulnerable to the dumping of inefficient cooling appliances. Despite the low upfront costs, these products create long-term challenges:High Operating Costs: Older cooling units require more energy, leading to higher electricity bills.Maintenance Issues: Parts for outdated models are harder to find, making repairs expensive and inefficient.Environmental Impact: Inefficient appliances use refrigerants that are harmful to the environment, contributing to ozone depletion and global warming.Regulatory Gaps: Many developing countries lack the enforcement mechanisms needed to prevent the influx of these products. Image For example, countries like Ghana have enacted bans on used cooling equipment, but still face challenges with the import of new, yet inefficient models. Similarly, countries in Southeast Asia are struggling to control the entry of outdated technologies that are no longer permitted in developed countries. SolutionsTo combat the negative impacts of environmental dumping, a range of solutions and best practices can be implemented:Stricter Regulations: Establishing and enforcing Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) ensures that only efficient products enter the market.Incentives for Energy Efficiency: Governments can offer subsidies or tax incentives for consumers and businesses that purchase energy-efficient appliances.International Collaboration: Cooperation through frameworks like the Montreal Protocol, including exporting and importing parties, helps to align standards globally, making it harder for inefficient products to be exported to unregulated markets.Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating consumers about the long-term benefits of energy-efficient cooling helps drive demand for better technology. Image By adopting these measures, countries can reduce the environmental impact of cooling and ensure that their markets are not flooded with obsolete products. International and Regional InitiativesMany global and regional initiatives have been established to address the issue of environmental dumping and promote sustainable cooling solutions: CCAC Cooling HubThe Cooling Hub brings together state and non-state members to build high-level political leadership and facilitate collaboration on enhancing energy efficiency in the cooling sector, while countries simultaneously implement the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Wilmington Declaration (2024)Leaders from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States pledged to enhance energy efficiency in cooling technologies to support climate-vulnerable communities. African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) African Ministerial Conference on the Environment Draft Decision 17/1 (13 November 2019) urges African countries to adopt policies that prevent the importation of obsolete cooling equipment while promoting the availability of efficient alternatives. UNEP & IFC Cooler Finance InitiativeAims to mobilize investment in energy-efficient cooling solutions, helping developing countries meet their growing cooling needs sustainably. UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat (25 July 2024)The SG calls for urgent action change to limit the impacts of extreme heat and specifically mentions that “regulation that promotes low to zero global-warming potential alternatives in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment is critical, and so are efforts to avoid the dumping of new inefficient cooling appliances with obsolete refrigerants in developing countries.” CCAC Efforts on Preventing the Dumping of Inefficient Cooling Equipment The CCAC's effort in preventing the dumping of inefficient cooling equipment are focused on encouraging exporting countries and companies to establish policies that prevent the export of inefficient cooling appliances using banned or soon-to-be-banned refrigerants. These actions aim to significantly increase the adoption of energy-efficient air conditioning equipment in developing countries while building their capacity to prevent dumping of substandard products.The CCAC Cooling Hub collaborates with governments and civil society organizations to host a series of virtual and in-person meetings, alongside developing educational resources aimed at raising awareness among stakeholders, including the private sector.Key AchievementsAugust 2023: Convened a workshop on preventing the dumping of inefficient cooling equipment containing high-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants.October 2023: Parties to the Montreal Protocol agreed to strengthen anti-dumping measures to limit the trade of inefficient cooling systems.May 2024: The Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund (MLF) established incentives to promote the use of high-efficiency cooling equipment. Products with lower performance standards were excluded from incentive programs, and only those meeting or exceeding national Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) will qualify for MLF project funding.September 2024: Australia, India, Japan, and the United States announced a focused Quad effort to boost energy efficiency, including the deployment and manufacturing of high-efficiency affordable, cooling systems to enable climate-vulnerable communities to adapt to rising temperatures while simultaneously reducing strain on the electricity grid. Previous Next Guidelines & Tools Preventing the Dumping in Vulnerable Developing-Country Markets of Inefficient Cooling Equipment Using Obsolete Refrigerants Event Documents 2023 Event document: Workshop on Preventing the Dumping of New, Inefficient Cooling Equipment Using High-GWP Refrigerants 2023 Pathways to Prevent Dumping of Climate Harming Room Air Conditioners in Southeast Asia 2020 Environmentally Harmful Dumping of Inefficient and Obsolete Air Conditioners in Africa Image Key Partners Previous Next NGO 2012 Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development (IGSD) State Partner 2012 Ghana
Guidelines & Tools Preventing the Dumping in Vulnerable Developing-Country Markets of Inefficient Cooling Equipment Using Obsolete Refrigerants
Event Documents 2023 Event document: Workshop on Preventing the Dumping of New, Inefficient Cooling Equipment Using High-GWP Refrigerants