The important contribution that energy-efficient and climate friendly cooling can make to delivering emission reductions and meeting energy saving targets was highlighted in a recent Green Climate Fund (GCF) and United Nations Environment Programme webinar.

The webinar, which was moderated by Sabin Basnyat, Senior Energy Efficiency Specialist, Division of Mitigation and Adaptation of the GCF, presented how countries can scale up efforts on energy-efficient and climate friendly cooling through specific financing and policy mechanisms.

The Cool Coalition Secretariat, the International Energy Agency (IEA), and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) contributed to the discussion by highlighting the climate impacts of the cooling sector and what actions governments can take to transition to efficient cooling and climate-friendly refrigerants, to ensure widespread access to cooling services while limiting their negative climate impacts.

Practical guides, toolkits, references, and how-to manuals were presented with the aim to assist National Designated Authorities (NDAs) and Accredited Entities (AEs) in the development of transformational GCF projects and programs in this priority field.

Dr German Velasquez, Director of Mitigation and Adaptation Division, GCF, explained the GCF’s two-pronged approach towards clean cooling – helping to build an enabling environment and supporting implementation. Eduardo Freitas, Africa Regional Manager, Division of Country Programming, GCF, described how the GCF Readiness Programme supports country-driven initiatives by developing countries to strengthen their institutional capacities, governance mechanisms, and planning and programming frameworks towards a transformational long-term climate action agenda.

Patrick Blake, Programme Management Officer, UNEP’s United for Efficiency (U4E), explained the important role of minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), labelling and supporting policies in the transition to energy-efficient and climate friendly cooling. He further outlined U4E’s work in facilitating the implementation, update and enforcement of MEPS and labels, such as the U4E Model Regulation Guidelines for ACs and refrigerators, which provide guidance templates for countries when developing MEPS and supporting policies at national or regional level.

The webinar concluded with a call for increased collaboration and “action on the ground” in the next few years, to ensure we deliver on the transition to efficient, climate friendly cooling and on its mitigation potential.

A summary report of the presentations delivered and a pdf version of the complete presentations can be found on the GCF website.

U4E is currently working on implementation of GCF Readiness projects in nine countries (Lao PDR and eight Southern African countries), which will develop a supporting framework for energy-efficient lighting, appliances and equipment. Other governments interested in developing a GCF Readiness project on energy-efficient products should contact U4E for more information on the process and support developing a project.