Promoting Lifecycle Refrigerant Management and Simultaneous Action on Cooling Efficiency at China Refrigeration Expo 2026

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) participated in the “Ozone2Climate (O2C) Technology Roadshow and Industry Roundtable” at the China Refrigeration Expo 2026, a key platform for exchange between policymakers, industry and technical experts on ozone and climate friendly technologies in the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) sector. 

Organized by UNEP OzonAction, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China (MEE-FECO), and the China Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Industry Association (CRAA), the O2C initiative has, since 2011, supported knowledge sharing on alternative technologies through global and regional platforms. Now in its 15th edition in China, the Roadshow and Roundtable have become part of the implementation of China’s HCFC Phase-out Management Plan for the refrigeration servicing sector, supported by the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol. 

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Denise San Valentin, Programme Management Officer at CCAC, speaking at Roundtable

The 2026 Roundtable takes place as countries mark the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment and move forward with implementation of HFC phase-down commitments. Developing countries are working to achieve a 10 percent reduction in HFC consumption by 2029, alongside a 97.5 percent reduction in hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 2030. The event focused on promoting ozone and climate friendly alternatives and strengthening collaboration between policymakers, industry and civil society. It also highlighted the importance of combining refrigerant transition with improvements in energy efficiency and reducing emissions across the lifecycle of cooling equipment. 

Speaking at the Roundtable, Denise San Valentin, Programme Management Officer at CCAC, emphasized the importance of coordinated action: 

“The Climate and Clean Air Coalition is very glad to collaborate with the government of China, CRAA, UNDP and UNEP OzonAction in enhancing collaboration among policymakers, industry and civil society in our common goals of cutting emissions of super pollutant gases in the cooling sector as well as improving energy efficiency simultaneously.” 

During the session, CCAC presented its work to support countries in maximizing the environmental and climate benefits of the HFC phase-down under the Kigali Amendment. This includes promoting early and complementary action on HFCs, supporting lifecycle refrigerant management (LRM), and reducing energy demand from both new and existing cooling equipment. 

Through its Cooling Hub, CCAC works with a leadership group of countries, implementing agencies and civil society partners to build awareness and capacity on LRM and cooling efficiency. This work complements support provided by the Multilateral Fund and other financing sources. CCAC has also provided targeted support through projects in developing countries. These include digital monitoring, reporting and verification systems for refrigerants, demonstration of low global warming potential (GWP) and energy efficient technologies, development of regulations to improve appliance efficiency, and support for national cooling action plans. 

Since its establishment in 2012, CCAC has supported international efforts to reduce hydrofluorocarbon emissions and build political momentum for the Kigali Amendment. Many CCAC partners were among the first to ratify the Amendment following its adoption in 2016, and the Coalition was recognized with the Ozone Political Leadership Award for its contribution to advancing the HFC phase-down. 

Implementation of the Kigali Amendment can avoid up to 0.1°C of warming by 2050 and up to 0.4°C by 2100. Additional gains can be achieved through improvements in energy efficiency in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, with the potential to avoid up to 260 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 2050. 

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Mr. Shang Shuwen and Ms. Hua Xue from China's Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center - Ministry of Ecology and Environment (FECO-MEE), Mr. Mikheil Tushishvili of UNEP OzonAction and Ms. Xiaopu Sun of IGSD

Industry continues to play a central role in this transition. Since the early days of the Montreal Protocol, companies have contributed to the development and deployment of alternatives to ozone-depleting substances and supported technology transitions. Their engagement, including through the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, has supported ongoing collaboration with policymakers. 

At the same time, the transition to alternative refrigerants presents technical and commercial challenges. These include the availability and cost of technologies, supply chain constraints, and regulatory considerations linked to safety characteristics such as flammability, toxicity or operating pressure. Addressing these challenges requires continued coordination between governments, industry and other stakeholders. 

The O2C Technology Roadshow and Industry Roundtable provides a platform to support this exchange. In addition to showcasing technologies, the Roundtable enables discussion of practical issues related to policy, technology selection and implementation. 

As demand for cooling continues to grow, particularly in regions facing higher temperatures, the need for solutions that are both energy efficient and low in emissions is increasing. The cooling sector therefore has an important role in supporting climate and development objectives, including energy access and security. 

By promoting lifecycle refrigerant management and improved energy efficiency together, initiatives such as Ozone2Climate support countries in implementing the Kigali Amendment and advancing more sustainable cooling systems.