As Africa’s demand for cooling surges with rapid urbanization and rising temperatures, the United Nations Environment Programme’s United for Efficiency (UNEP-U4E) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in collaboration with the East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE), will host two key events in Nairobi, Kenya, to accelerate the adoption and implementation of energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling appliances in the East African Community (EAC) region. 

Organized alongside the Thirty-Seventh Meeting of the Parties (MOP37) to the Montreal Protocol, these events will bring together policymakers, regulators, technical experts, and development partners to advance harmonised Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for cooling appliances in the region.

Workshop: Scaling Up Energy-Efficient Cooling Appliances in Africa: Pathways, Policies and Partnerships for National MEPS Adoption

Date: 1 November 2025
Time: 9 am – 4pm (EAT)
Venue: Room CR-9, UNON Compound, Nairobi, Kenya 

This full-day workshop will bring together government representatives, technical experts, and development partners to strengthen national efforts to adopt regional MEPS for air conditioners and refrigerators in the EAC region. 

The event aims to equip African policymakers with practical tools, guidance, and collaboration frameworks to accelerate the national MEPS adoption and implementation of energy-efficient, low- Global Warming Potential (GWP) cooling appliances. Participants will explore opportunities to integrate regional frameworks developed through the East African Community into national policy and enforcement mechanisms. 

Highlights include recent success stories, from Nigeria’s adoption of new MEPS for air conditioners and the EAC’s recent approval of regional standards for air conditioners and refrigerators now being adopted/considered by its Member States. 

Speakers include representatives from UNEP-U4E, UNIDO, EACREEE, and the African Energy Commission (AFREC), along with national delegates sharing experiences and lessons learned from implementation experiences.

Side Event: From Global Tools to Regional and National Action: Harmonizing Energy-Efficient Cooling Regulations in Africa and Beyond

Date: 3 November 2025 (TBC)
Time: 13:00-15:00
Venue: Room: CR-10, UNON Compound, Nairobi, Kenya 

Building on the outcomes of the 1 November workshop, this event will bring together policymakers, regulators, and technical experts to explore how regional harmonization drives national action on sustainable cooling. 

Discussions will focus on global and regional progress in energy-efficient cooling regulations, drawing from UNEP-U4E’s Model Regulation Guidelines and the regional harmonization efforts within EAC and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Panellists will share practical lessons from leading countries, such as Nigeria, and explore collaborative pathways to achieve both climate and development goals. 

Speakers include experts from UNEP, UNIDO, AFREC, CLASP, and national representatives. 

Driving Climate and Development Impact through Efficient Cooling 

These events reinforce UNEP and UNIDO’s shared commitment to support African governments in implementing the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol by advancing energy-efficient, low-GWP cooling solutions. Coupling refrigerant transition with improved appliance efficiency not only mitigates greenhouse gas emissions but also delivers significant energy savings, economic benefits, and enhanced energy security. 

Through these dialogues, African policymakers and partners will exchange experiences, identify opportunities for collaboration, and outline actionable steps to scale up efficient cooling across the continent – helping countries meet climate targets while supporting sustainable development.