On 3-4 June 2013, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and shecco brought together 150 representatives from developing and developed countries to explore possibilities for choosing sustainable substances in the HVAC&R and foam sectors. The two-day “UNIDO ATMOsphere Technology Summit” was the first in a series of cooperation projects between the United Nations agency and market development expert shecco.
The UNIDO ATMOsphere Technology Summit, co-chaired by Mr Sidi Menad Si Ahmed, Director of the Montreal Protocol Branch of UNIDO; and Marc Chasserot, Managing Director of shecco; aimed at actively discussing the technical, commercial and social viability of natural refrigerants and foams, as well as helping emerging economies choose more sustainable replacements for high global warming and/or ozone-depleting substances.
National Ozone Officers, ministry representatives, component and system suppliers, end-users, academics and non-governmental associations had the opportunity to engage in focused discussions about viable substances and technologies to fit specific applications, industry sectors, countries and/or climatic regions. With the 2nd phase of the HCFC Phase-Out Management Plans (HPMPs) taking effect very soon, a sense of urgency was felt among participants to find suitable alternatives.
An initiative that is needed
Welcoming participants on 3 June, Mr Si Ahmed highlighted the event as “an initiative that we as an UN agency believe will help leapfrog the phase-out of HCFC because as we all know one of the main concerns of the international community is also to avoid phasing-in substances that have a high global warming potential and that is something that we all have to take on board.”
Mr Si Ahmed also emphasised that UNIDO had selected shecco as a partner to jointly organise the event, as the UN agency believes it to be its “duty and mandate to promote new technologies for the benefit of the developing countries.“
“For more than a decade, shecco has been working together with the heating, refrigeration and cooling industry to introduce technology solutions that not only alleviate the environmental burden from direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, but that more importantly highlight the business case for all those involved in a transition towards a “green economy”. We are therefore honoured to have organised the UNIDO ATMOsphere Technology Summit with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in an attempt to continue discussions on how to fully exploit the benefits of utilizing natural refrigerants and HFC-free foams in developing countries,” Marc Chasserot said.
“shecco is looking forward to initiating a dialogue with all involved parties that we hope will continue long after UNIDO ATMOsphere has finished”, Chasserot added.
Projects planned with UNIDO in 2013/14
In the introductory session, Nina Masson, Head of Market Research, shecco, presented first results from a global survey among developing countries that shecco jointly developed with UNIDO to identify the market share of natural refrigerants and foams in developing countries, and explore market expectations for the next 5 years to come, as well as look at the role of stakeholder groups in each country in advancing or delaying the introduction of natural solutions.
The survey is part of a joint research project that will result in a “GUIDE UNIDO” with an expected launch of Summer 2013. It will draw attention to best practices applied in the refrigeration, heating, air-conditioning, and foam sectors. The survey is open to all representatives from developing countries, onhttp://guide.shecco.com/SURVEY-UNIDO-Natural-Substances-2013.php
UNIDO also announced shecco’s participation in two implementation projects to introduce natural refrigerant-based systems in the fishing industries in The Gambia and Viet Nam. The integrated project schemes are expected to be approved for co-financing support by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in 2013.
About shecco
For more than a decade market development expert shecco has been active in helping bring climate friendly technologies faster to market. shecco supports over 100+ partners worldwide in two areas: the HVAC&R sector, where the focus is on sustainable refrigeration, heating & cooling technologies using natural refrigerants; and the transport sectors where an emphasis is put on electric vehicles (cars, heavy duty vehicle, scooters, bikes). shecco offers a variety of services, ranging from world-leading online industry platforms, to market research & consultancy services, events management, funding & grants support, and public affairs.
Contacts
Marc Chasserot
Managing Director
marc.chasserot@shecco.eu
Nina Masson
Head of Market Research
nina.masson@shecco.eu
Franziska Menten
Events Manager
franziska.menten@shecco.eu
Janaina Topley Lira
Media Officer
jana.topleylira@shecco.eu
More Information:
shecco presentation 3 June 2013, UNIDO ATMOsphere Technology Summit
UNIDO GUIDE Survey – Natural Solutions for Developing Countries