Green Cooling Initiative
Overview
Refrigeration and air conditioning are responsible for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Especially in developing countries and emerging economies, the demand for cooling equipment is rising. Low levels of efficiency and high leakage rates of refrigerant gases with high global warming potential will increase these emissions drastically. The Green Cooling Initiative (GCI) recognises that exchange between technology suppliers and users, as well as between the industry, public institutions and civil society is important for the promotion of green cooling technologies.
The GCI is funded by the International Climate Initiative by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) and implemented by GIZ Proklima.
Green Cooling
The term "green cooling technologies" is used to describe equipment with maximized energy efficiency that uses natural refrigerants and thereby minimizes its environmental impact.
With an aim to reduce emissions from the cooling sectors, Green Cooling combines three approaches:
- promoting natural refrigerants,
- maximising energy efficiency,
- fostering a sustainable approach to private and commercial energy consumption.
Green cooling helps to protect the environment, resources and the climate and supports the use of renewable technologies for cooling. It thereby contributes towards a sustainable reduction of fossil fuel consumption.
Network
The aim of GCI is to establish a global Green Cooling Network, which will accelerate the transfer of environmentally friendly technologies in the refrigeration and air conditioning sectors to and within developing countries. Decision makers, technology suppliers and importers, research institutes, NGOs as well as government institutions are all invited to join.
Companies
Alim Agro and Renewable Energy - a business for sustainable cooling and refrigeration in Bangladesh
Cooltech Applications - an eco-friendly and energy-efficient alternative to gas based compressors
Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. - India’s first manufacturer to convert to hydrocarbons
Industrial Solar GmbH - Industrial Solar Thermal solutions
Johnson Controls - Efficient, natural refrigerant based thermal transfer systems
Secop GmbH - Cooling with conscience – a wide range of energy efficient hydrocarbon compressors
The Fridge Factory - Environmentally friendly hydrocarbon technology handled safely in a developing country environment
Organisations
Australian Refrigeration Association - Promoting the transition to safe, efficient and sustainable refrigeration and air conditioning technologies
CIRCE - Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption - Transferring scientific and technical knowledge to the energy business sector
Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) - Campaigning for HFC phase-out
GIZ Proklima - Promoting green cooling technologies worldwide
The Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT) - vocational institute delivering skills training in the TVET format to all industry sectors in the Maldives
Government Institutions
Bavarian Environment Agency (LfU) - the central authority for environmental protection and nature conservation, geology and water resources management
Ghana Environmental Protection Agency - shapes and implements the government’s environmental policy
Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT) - promoting the use of hydrocarbons through training, to replace ozone-depleting substances in refrigeration and air conditioning appliances and systems
Website
On its website, the GCI aims to provide useful information, give access to knowledge and bring people together working on the same goal: Promoting green cooling worldwide. The website is a knowledge base for green cooling technologies, data emission scenarios and a platform for the Green Cooling Initiative Network. GCI provides sector-specific data and material for both: 1) members of the private sector wishing to invest in a certain country and 2) policy makers that are seeking to reduce emissions. The aim is to give information on technologies, regulations, market trends, funding and emission reduction potentials, as much as possible, on a country by country level.
Furthermore, one can find a lot of best practice example collected from the GCI network. They cover both technology and policy solutions, from energy efficient fridge-freezer combination for domestic refrigeration to the full conversion of an entire production line.
