Brussels, 19 October 2016: shecco is excited that global leaders came together in Kigali last week to amend the Montreal Protocol. The Amendment lists 19 controlled HFC substances to be phased down at various dates in developed and developing countries over the next two decades.

Marc Chasserot, shecco CEO, said: “shecco believes that the Kigali amendment falls short of the anticipated ambitious goals of this international agreement. Nevertheless, the legally binding deal creates opportunities for natural refrigerants across the world, especially as countries are looking to introduce future-proof and energy-efficient technologies to save them from making subsequent transitions away from intermediary solutions. This amendment proves that high-GWP HFCs are finished.”

While the amendment will create tremendous opportunities for natural refrigerants, the agreed framework fails to prevent increased HFC use before the baseline dates or phase-downs start. Critically:

• the amendment fails to come up with a low GWP (global warming potential) definition;
• the amendment doesn’t prohibit the development of new unsaturated HFC blends, and;
• the amendment doesn’t have any mechanism to add other HFCs, unsaturated or otherwise, to the list of substances.

As the fastest growing group of greenhouse gases, an ambitious global HFC phase-down could have saved the planet from 0.5 degrees of global warming. Nonetheless the agreement has made substantial headway for the natural refrigerants industry. There are now clear opportunities for developing countries to leapfrog from HCFCs directly to natural refrigerants, which are more energy-efficient, cost-effective and safe, in a growing number of applications.

“Times are going to get tougher for high GWPs in the market place,” said Chasserot.

shecco attended the Meeting of the Parties in Kigali where, in conjunction with the Indian and Norwegian Environment Ministries, it gave a presentation on the many opportunities available to leapfrog HFCs.

About shecco

For the past 15 years market accelerator shecco has been active in helping bring climate friendly technologies faster to market. shecco supports over 150+ 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, including online industry platforms, magazines and a catalogue of dedicated research reports;

2) market 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

Marc Chasserot

CEO

shecco america

marc.chasserot@shecco.eu