UNEP’s United for Efficiency (U4E) initiative, in collaboration with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy (MME), has officially launched the project “Complementing HFC Mitigation and Reducing Cooling-Related Emissions by Improving the Energy Efficiency of Cooling Equipment.” The initiative will support Côte d’Ivoire’s transition to energy-efficient cooling and low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants.
The project aims to support Côte d’Ivoire in leapfrogging to advanced cooling solutions by promoting the adoption of innovative low-GWP refrigerants and highly energy-efficient cooling technologies for domestic refrigerators and room air conditioners. To achieve this objective, the project will follow a comprehensive approach focused on three key pillars:
- Strengthening stakeholder capacity and technical expertise across the cooling sector;
- Supporting the development and implementation of key policy and regulatory frameworks; and
- Establishing a platform for dialogue and collaboration to enhance coordination among national stakeholders and ongoing initiatives.
Group photo of participants at the project launch in Abidjan.
During the launch event, representatives from the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, including the MME, the National Ozone Unit, and CODINORM (Côte d’Ivoire Normalisation), as well as stakeholders from the private sector, emphasized the importance of accelerating the transition to sustainable cooling technologies. Participants highlighted how the project will support the country’s commitments under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol while creating opportunities for innovation, market transformation, and sustainable economic development.
Representing the Directorate General for Energy (DGE), Mr. Bouré presented Côte d’Ivoire’s progress in implementing energy labelling programmes (currently covering air conditioners, refrigerators, and electric lamps), while Mr. Kouadio, representing the National Ozone Unit, provided an overview of national efforts to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in line with international commitments. On behalf of the U4E team, Ms. Garcia and Mr. Yoboue went through project’s structure, activities and main outcomes, as well as functioning principles, such as the Policy Working Group (PWG), which will serve as the main coordination and consultation platform for project implementation.
Through the project, U4E will provide technical assistance to the DGE to support the development of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), strengthen existing energy labelling scheme, improve current Monitoring, Verification and Enforcement (MVE) practices, develop Sustainable Public Procurement Guidelines, and recommend technical specifications for testing equipment, among others. Combined with stakeholder capacity-building will help Côte d’Ivoire move from policy ambition to practical implementation, while creating clearer market signals for efficient and climate-friendly products.
Virtual participation from overseas partners during the kick-off meeting.
“The UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is honored to support Côte d’Ivoire in launching this important sustainable cooling project. Sustainable cooling sits at the intersection of climate action, public health, sustainable development, and economic resilience. We are pleased to partner with UNEP’s flagship energy efficiency initiative, United for Efficiency (U4E), in advancing this effort. Côte d’Ivoire has demonstrated strong leadership in addressing short-lived climate pollutants, from developing its SLCP Action Plan to integrating ambitious mitigation measures into its NDC 3.0. This project represents an important next step in translating those commitments into concrete action, accelerating the transition to sustainable cooling technologies that improve energy efficiency, reduce climate impacts, and deliver lasting benefits for the community and the economy,” said Seraphine Haeussling, Programme Manager at CCAC.
“Côte d’Ivoire is demonstrating how countries can advance both energy efficiency and climate action through sustainable cooling. This project builds on UNEP-U4E’s long-standing partnership with the country, including our previous work supporting the transition to energy-efficient lighting, as well as ongoing cooling initiatives across West Africa in countries such as Nigeria and Ghana. Building on these successes, we are now combining energy-efficient technologies, low-GWP refrigerants, and strong policy frameworks to create the conditions for lasting market transformation and support the region’s transition to sustainable cooling,” said Patrick Blake, Head of UNEP’s United for Efficiency (U4E).
Following the official launch, U4E and its national partners will initiate a market assessment of domestic refrigerators and room air conditioners, establish the composition of the Policy Working Group, and prepare its first technical workshop.
Through this initiative, U4E will continue supporting Côte d’Ivoire – and the broader ECOWAS region – in accelerating the uptake of affordable, energy-efficient, and low-GWP cooling solutions, contributing to national energy efficiency goals, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and long-term climate action.
For more information on U4E’s work in Côte d’Ivoire, contact: Soledad Garcia (soledad.garcia@un.org).