The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Government of Viet Nam, the Vietnam Environmental Protection Fund, a supplier of hydrocarbon-based refrigeration systems and shecco have joined forces in a demonstration project to reduce greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances over the next three years in Viet Nam’s industrial refrigeration sector.
During a first workshop held on 21 October 2014 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, the Government of Viet Nam and UNIDO officially kick-started the project. This decisive step to replace ozone-depleting substances with low global warming potential, natural refrigerant-based refrigeration systems promises additional energy efficiency and climate benefits in the country’s fisheries sector.
shecco presents international best practices and initial results of policy gap analysis
As the official industry partner responsible for policy analysis and recommendations, as well as awareness-raising and dissemination activities, shecco was invited to present and moderate at the kick-off workshop in Ha Noi.
Nina Masson, Deputy Managing Director shecco, highlighted first results from the policy gap analysis conducted in partnership with the Vietnamese Government over the preceding months. The policy gap analysis intends to identify priority areas where legislative action and standardisation promise best results when it comes to fast-tracking the introduction of more environmentally friendly industrial refrigeration solutions, including the use of flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants. Masson also outlined international best practices for the taxation of fluorinated gases, incentives and investment grant schemes for energy efficiency measures for the use of low global warming substances, as well as other supplementary measures proven to be successful in developed and emerging economies.
“shecco is determined to support UNIDO and the Government of Viet Nam in trialing and later spreading the use of natural refrigerant-based industrial refrigeration systems among the fisheries sector. We will do our best to bring our in-house policy expertise to the table, using our various communication and awareness-raising tools to help all partners reach their objectives,” says Nina Masson.
“We will use the coming months to finalise the policy gap analysis, and subsequently present concrete recommendations for an effective amendment of existing legislation and the drafting of new standards and support schemes,” she adds.
Innovative co-financing scheme
Under the first approved project, UNIDO will implement, with the support of selected government and industry partners, a demonstration project to reduce greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances in the Gambia’s industrial refrigeration and air-conditioning sector.
The Viet Nam scheme was approved in September 2014 by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Secretariat with a grant of USD 290,000 and with co-financing from various partners totaling USD 1.855 million. The project aims to facilitate the adoption of new, climate-friendly and energy-saving technologies through policy measures, technology transfer and technical assistance, as well as awareness-raising activities. The scheme will also encompass the pilot demonstration conversion of two cold storage facilities from HCFC-22 to hydrocarbon systems.
The project is particularly innovative since, for the first time, it brings together the funding mechanisms of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer and the GEF so that environmental benefits from the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances become eligible for a wider spectrum of financial support. All partners involved in the initial project application, among them shecco, will contribute to the co-financing of the project.
Second GEF-financed project with shecco as in international partner
Earlier this year, shecco decided to broaden its global project activities by partnering up with UNIDO in an innovative project scheme to drive the reduction of ozone-depleting substances in the fisheries industries in Gambia.
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 the HVAC&R sector, where the focus is on sustainable refrigeration, heating & cooling technologies using natural refrigerants. shecco offers a variety of services in three areas: 1) media & publications, including online industry platforms and a catalogue of dedicated research reports; 2) business development, including market research, consultancy and public affairs services, as well as special international projects; and 3) events, including international conferences and national workshops.
Contact
Nina Masson
Deputy Managing Director
nina.masson@shecco.eu
Media contact
Janaina Topley Lira
Media Relations
jana.topleylira@shecco.eu
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