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Les écologistes ont demandé davantage d’éducation du public afin que le Nigéria puisse respecter ses obligations en vertu du Protocole de Montréal et de l’Amendement de Kigali.
Les experts ont fait cette demande le jeudi 10 avril 2025, à Abuja, lors d’un atelier des parties prenantes organisé par la Recherche et l’Action Durables pour le Développement Environnemental (SRADeV – Nigéria) avec le soutien de l’Agence d’Investigation Environnementale (EIA, Royaume-Uni).
Selon eux, en sensibilisant le public, le Nigéria peut réduire efficacement les émissions qui appauvrissent la couche d’ozone et encourager des habitudes durables qui protégeraient l’environnement pour les générations futures.
Le professeur Innocent Barikor, directeur général de l’Agence nationale de contrôle et d’application des normes environnementales (NESREA), a déclaré aux participants à l’événement qu’en tant qu’agence principale du Nigéria pour le suivi et l’application de la conformité environnementale, son organisation s’engage à mettre en œuvre des politiques et des réglementations qui protègent l’environnement des polluants tels que les gaz fluorés (F-gaz) et les substances appauvrissant la couche d’ozone (SAO).
Le DG, représenté par Elijah Udofia, directeur du contrôle de la qualité environnementale, a déclaré que les efforts du NESREA pour collaborer avec les ministères, agences et partenaires de développement concernés ont constamment promu des pratiques environnementales plus propres et plus durables dans divers secteurs.
« Pour réaliser des progrès significatifs, il faut une action collective visant à adopter des technologies innovantes, à renforcer les cadres réglementaires, à sensibiliser le public et à encourager la participation du secteur privé à la transition vers des alternatives respectueuses de l’environnement », a-t-il ajouté.
L’atelier, selon lui, constitue donc une plateforme essentielle pour débattre de solutions pratiques, partager les meilleures pratiques et accélérer les stratégies de mise en œuvre visant à réduire ces émissions nocives.
Le professeur Barikor a félicité SRADev Nigeria et le financier du projet, EIA UK, pour avoir facilité le dialogue, assurant que NESREA continuerait à fournir le soutien technique et réglementaire nécessaire pour garantir que le Nigeria respecte ses engagements en vertu des traités environnementaux internationaux tout en promouvant le développement économique et social.
Il a exhorté les participants à garder à l’esprit que les décisions qu’ils prennent aujourd’hui auront un effet à long terme sur la résilience environnementale, la santé publique et la durabilité de la planète.
« Ensemble, nous pouvons faire progresser un Nigéria plus propre, plus sain et plus résilient au changement climatique », a déclaré le patron du NESREA.
Tout en saluant également cette question, l’assistant spécial du président nigérian sur le changement climatique, Yusuf Kelani, a identifié l’éducation et une application rigoureuse de la loi liée au climat comme les mesures les plus efficaces pour répondre aux préoccupations environnementales croissantes du Nigéria.
Selon l’assistant présidentiel, la sensibilisation dès le plus jeune âge permettra aux générations futures de mieux comprendre et d’atténuer les effets du changement climatique tout en encourageant les pratiques durables.
« Nous pensons que dès leur plus jeune âge, les gens doivent comprendre ce qu’est le changement climatique, ses effets et le rôle qu’ils peuvent jouer dans la protection de l’environnement », a déclaré Kelani.
Il a également évoqué une initiative sur laquelle travaille son bureau, qui vise à nommer au moins deux ambassadeurs du changement climatique pour chacune des zones de gouvernement local du Nigeria d’ici la fin de l’année.
Ce programme, a expliqué Kelani, contribuerait à garantir que les discussions sur le changement climatique soient promues au niveau local, favorisant ainsi l’appropriation et l’engagement locaux en matière de gestion de l’environnement.
Parlant de l’objectif de l’exercice, le directeur exécutif de SRADev Nigeria, le Dr Leslie Adogame, a fait allusion au fait qu’il représente un tournant majeur dans les progrès globaux du pays vers la durabilité environnementale et la résilience climatique.
Ce programme, a-t-il expliqué, vise à soutenir et à amplifier les efforts continus du gouvernement nigérian pour passer à des alternatives à faible potentiel de réchauffement global (PRG), réduisant ainsi les risques environnementaux et de santé publique associés aux gaz à effet de serre fluorés (gaz F) et aux substances appauvrissant la couche d’ozone (SAO).
Le Dr Adogame a laissé entendre que le projet, qui vise à « promouvoir une action rapide pour réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre fluorés (F-gaz) et de substances appauvrissant la couche d’ozone (SAO) au Nigéria », comprendra la réalisation d’évaluations complètes, l’augmentation de l’engagement des parties prenantes et le renforcement des capacités et de la sensibilisation.
Le directeur exécutif de SRADev a déclaré que le Nigéria a fait preuve d’un engagement indéfectible envers les accords environnementaux internationaux, notamment le Protocole de Montréal et ses amendements ultérieurs.
Selon lui, les mesures proactives du gouvernement comprennent la réduction progressive des hydrochlorofluorocarbures (HCFC), avec pour objectif d’éliminer progressivement 51,35 % de la consommation de HCFC d’ici la fin de cette année.
Il a ajouté que des initiatives comme le projet AGORA ont été lancées pour promouvoir des technologies de refroidissement économes en énergie et respectueuses du climat.
Toutefois, malgré ces efforts louables, il a reconnu que des défis persistent dans la transition complète vers des alternatives à faible PRG.
« Notre projet vise à combler ces lacunes en fournissant le soutien nécessaire par le biais de la sensibilisation, du renforcement des capacités et d’un engagement solide des parties prenantes pour accélérer l’adoption de technologies et de pratiques durables », a déclaré le Dr Adogame.
Alors que les parties prenantes s’engagent dans cette démarche cruciale, il est important de réaffirmer leur engagement collectif à préserver l’environnement pour les générations présentes et futures. En effet, grâce à une action collaborative, à des politiques éclairées et à un plaidoyer résolu, le Nigéria peut parvenir à des réductions significatives des émissions de gaz fluorés et de substances appauvrissant la couche d’ozone, contribuant ainsi à une planète plus saine et à une nation plus durable.
If fully implemented, the plan is expected to help Việt Nam cut over 11 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2045.
These efforts are aligned with the country’s pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, as declared at the COP26 climate summit. — VNS
Source/image: Việt Nam News, 22 April 2025
Related:
Vietnam to Reduce Import Quote for Ozone-Depleting Substances, Vietnam Briefing, 23 April 2025
- DMRC Technicians Trained on Good Servicing Practices for HCFC and R-290
In February 2025, 70 refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) technicians from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) completed hands-on training in safe servicing practices under India’s HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) Stage II.
Training Overview
Organized by GIZ Proklima India in partnership with the Ozone Cell of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), the program focused on « Good Servicing Practices and Installation of Room Air Conditioners with HCFC-22 and Flammable Refrigerants (R-290). » The sessions were conducted by Keypath India Pvt Ltd. at the DMRC Training Academy in New Delhi from February 17 to 22, 2025. Technicians were trained in three batches.
Technical Focus
The training covered both theoretical and practical aspects, beginning with an introduction to the ozone layer, environmental impacts of refrigerants, and the importance of transitioning to climate-friendly alternatives. Participants received instruction in equipment handling, copper tube processing, brazing, refrigerant recovery, and energy-efficient servicing techniques.
A core component of the program was the safe installation and maintenance of split air conditioners using R-290, a flammable but low-GWP refrigerant. Hands-on sessions allowed technicians to practice installation and servicing methods, emphasizing leak prevention and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Capacity Building for Sustainable Practices
Each training concluded with group workshops where technicians discussed field experiences and key takeaways. The interactive format reinforced the importance of best practices in refrigerant handling and encouraged knowledge exchange among DMRC’s maintenance staff.
“This training not only improved the technical skills of our team but also raised awareness about environmentally responsible servicing methods,” said a DMRC official.
The initiative supports India’s commitments under the Montreal Protocol and aims to strengthen institutional capacity for sustainable air-conditioning practices in the public transport sector.
Source/image: Refindustry Refrigeration Tech Hub, 19 April 2025
- China steps up management of ozone-depleting substances, HFCs to tackle climate change
BEIJING, April 23 — China has unveiled a plan to comprehensively strengthen its management of ozone-depleting substances and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in order to address ozone layer depletion and climate change, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced on Wednesday.
According to the national implementation plan on fulfilling the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer during the 2025-2030 period, China will regulate nine categories of substances, including HFCs. Notably, eight categories are ozone-depleting substances, while HFCs do not harm the ozone layer but are potent synthetic greenhouse gases that have the potential to contribute to global warming.
The plan puts forward 11 specific tasks in the areas of source control, process management, end-of-pipe treatment, and import and export regulation.
For example, to strengthen management of the use of controlled substances, the production of refrigerators and freezers using HFCs as refrigerants will be banned in China’s home appliance sector starting Jan. 1, 2026.
Since joining the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1991, China has faithfully fulfilled its international obligations, phasing out about 628,000 tonnes of ozone-depleting substances, accounting for more than half of the total phased out by developing countries, the ministry revealed.
Source: The State Council, The People’s Republic of China, 23 April 2025
Related:
Plan unveiled to protect the ozone layer, China Daily, 23 April 2025
EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
- Customs stop R404A hidden in LPG tanks
POLAND: Customs and tax officers have stopped an attempt to smuggle over 150kg of R404A refrigerant across the border from Ukraine.
Officers stopped a passenger car driven by a Ukrainian citizen for inspection at the border crossing in Medyka in south-eastern Poland, on the border with Ukraine. Their attention was drawn to non-standard fuel tanks suspended under the car.
It was determined that the tanks contained over 150kg of R404a refrigerant, estimated to be worth around PLN 40,000 (€9,350). The vehicle had a modified LPG installation in order to hide the transported goods and their later recovery.
The car was secured for further proceedings. A criminal and fiscal case was initiated against the driver of the car. PLN 2,000 (€467) was seized towards the threatened fine.
Source/image: Cooling Post, 17 April 2025
- New Technical Brief: The Role of Refrigeration in the Global Economy
Paris, France – April 2025 The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is proud to announce the release of its latest technical brief, The Role of refrigeration in the global economy (3rd edition). This comprehensive report highlights the critical importance of refrigeration in addressing global challenges related to food security, healthcare, energy efficiency, and climate change. As the world continues to face unprecedented heatwaves and rising global temperatures, the demand for sustainable refrigeration solutions has never been greater.
The 2025 edition of this landmark publication provides updated data, insights, and recommendations to guide policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers in advancing the refrigeration sector toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
Source/image: IIR, April 2025
- The hole in the ozone layer
Join us (6 May 2025) to mark the 40th anniversary of one of the most significant environmental discoveries of our time, the ozone hole.
On 16 May 1985, British Antarctic Survey scientists Jon Shanklin, Brian Gardiner and Joe Farman published groundbreaking research that revealed the ozone hole above Antarctica, sparking global action and leading to the historic Montreal Protocol.
At a time when international consensus on climate science is under some stress, this is a moment to reflect on a science success story, one that changed the world for the better. Featuring three expert talks, this event will revisit the British Antarctic Survey’s pivotal role in the discovery, explore how it shaped international environmental policy, and celebrate the power of science and geography as a force for good. More details…
Source/image: Royal Geographical Society, April 2025
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
- National Ozone Unit in The Sustainable Development Department Holds Stakeholders Consultation
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a global agreement to protect the Earth’s ozone layer by phasing out the chemicals that deplete it. The landmark agreement was signed in 1987 and entered into force in 1989.
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol mandates a global phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases widely used in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) sector.
On April 14 and 16, 2025, the National Ozone Unit, within the Department of Sustainable Development, Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, held two days of consultations with the Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Services Sector: importers of refrigerants and equipment, and the Customs and Excise Department.
The consultation’s aim was to:
Facilitate dialogue among government and industry,
Support stakeholders in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) sector in understanding and preparing for the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as mandated under the Kigali Amendment by raising awareness of Kigali obligations and timelines,
Develop actionable strategies for a smooth and sustainable transition away from HFCs,
Inform of updated policy regulations and national standards within the RAC sector, and
Promote the adoption of climate-friendly, low-GWP refrigerants and technologies.
The consultations ensured that all relevant actors are informed, aligned, and equipped to meet the Kigali Amendment obligations.
Source/image: Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development & Culture, The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, April 2025
- National Ozone Layer Conservation Workshop kicks off today in Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba, Apr 22 (ACN) A national workshop on the protection of the ozone layer and climate begins today in the western province of Matanzas in three-day sessions, with the support of the Implementing Agency of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The meeting will bring together specialists from the delegations of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, who apply the actions of the National Ozone Program in their territory, reported to the Cuban News Agency, Helen Rodriguez, communicator of the Center for Information Management and Energy Development (CUBAENERGIA).
She added that under the coordination of the Ozone Technical Office (OTOZ), the participants will evaluate the results of the management of the conservation of this kind of umbrella that protects the Earth from the Sun’s ultraviolet rays.
The agenda also includes the progress of the national plans for the elimination of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) phase II and the reduction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) until 2045.
In addition, energy efficiency in the Montreal Protocol, in force since 1989, courses on Good Practices in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and Hydrocarbons; outreach campaigns and gender approach, among other topics.
OTOZ, attached to CUBAENERGIA, celebrates this year the 30th anniversary of its creation and since then coordinates and leads initiatives to eliminate ozone-depleting substances, through technological innovation and international projects.
CUBAENERGIA is an entity attached to CITMA’s Agency for Nuclear Energy and Advanced Technologies (AENTA).
Source/image: ACN Cuban News Agency, 22 April 2025
NORTH AMERICA
- Toward climate-smart storage: NAPSO explores implications of landmark U.S. cooling legislation for the potato industry
In an effort to better understand fast-evolving U.S. environmental regulations affecting refrigeration systems, the North America Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO) recently welcomed John W.S. Dunmore, Director of Government and External Affairs at the Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA) in Washington, DC, for a timely and insightful presentation on the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020.
Dunmore’s address to the NAPSO Central Committee, delivered during its April 14 meeting, offered an in-depth look at how the AIM Act will reshape cooling and refrigeration practices across multiple sectors—including long-term potato storage facilities throughout North America.
What Is the AIM Act?
Passed with strong bipartisan support, the AIM Act gives the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—potent greenhouse gases widely used in cooling systems. The law aims to reduce HFC use by 85% by 2036 and supports the development of climate-friendlier alternatives.
Originally introduced in Congress in 2019, the Act has since become a cornerstone of U.S. efforts to meet global climate commitments under frameworks like the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
More information on this EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-09/hfc-allocation-rule-nprm-fact-sheet-finalrule.pdf
Key Objectives of the AIM Act:
Environmental Target: Cut HFC use by 85% by 2036
Industry Incentives: Spur innovation in sustainable refrigerants
Economic Opportunity: Support clean tech jobs and manufacturing
Regulatory Clarity: Offer predictable policy timelines to industry stakeholders
Why It Matters for Potato Storage
While the AIM Act is not specific to agriculture, it has far-reaching implications for the North American potato industry—particularly for operations that rely on controlled temperature environments to ensure tuber quality, longevity, and safety. The phase-down of HFCs and the introduction of alternative refrigerants will require strategic foresight and possible capital investment from storage operators.
According to Dunmore, the EPA has already begun implementing rulemakings, including:
A national HFC allowance system launched in 2021
A 10% initial reduction in 2022
Further step-downs in HFC usage through 2029
A final 85% reduction target set for 2036
The EPA’s next steps may include tighter product-specific use restrictions, enhanced leak detection and reporting, and new compliance systems—all of which could impact facilities using traditional refrigeration systems.
Sector-Wide Implications
Although Dunmore’s briefing was hosted by NAPSO, the information is relevant across the entire North American potato supply chain—from growers with on-farm storage to large-scale commercial operations. The AIM Act’s implementation may present both regulatory challenges and modernization opportunities for facilities looking to align with next-generation cooling technologies.
The Act has received broad support from environmental groups, HVAC and refrigeration associations, and major trade organizations. While a few industry segments, such as aerospace and home appliances, opposed the measure, most stakeholders see the AIM Act as a balanced approach to reducing climate impact while preserving industrial competitiveness.
What Can Industry Do Next?
In his concluding remarks, Dunmore recommended a proactive posture for all industry stakeholders. His suggestions include:
Facilitating Dialogue among growers, storage operators, manufacturers, and regulators
Coalition Building with allied agricultural sectors and trade groups
Engaging Policymakers to represent industry-specific storage realities
Providing Technical Guidance to help operations transition smoothly
Participating in Public Comment Periods during EPA rulemaking processes
Conclusion: Preparing for a Refrigerant Future
As the potato industry grapples with climate volatility and rising sustainability expectations, staying informed about foundational policies like the AIM Act becomes increasingly critical. NAPSO’s initiative to host Dunmore’s presentation signals a broader effort to prepare the storage sector for regulatory shifts—and to ensure that industry voices are heard in shaping what comes next.
The full implications of the AIM Act will unfold over the next decade, but one thing is certain: the cooling technologies that underpin potato storage are entering a new era—and North American stakeholders will need to adapt accordingly.
Source/image: Potato News Today, 18 April 2025
RESOURCES
Understanding Gender: Using gender-related terms correctly is crucial for fostering respect, inclusion, and equality, also promotes clear, empathetic communication
Breaking Molds: Inclusion in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry
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