World Ozone Day 2024: BD accelerates shift to eco-friendly cooling solutions

Staff Reporter :

In celebration of World Ozone Day 2024, GIZ Bangladesh organized a seminar to raise awareness about eco-friendly cooling technologies, specifically highlighting R290 air conditioners (ACs). The event, held in collaboration with the Ozone Cell of the Department of Environment (DOE), emphasized the critical role of green cooling solutions in mitigating ozone depletion and climate change.

Globally, the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sector accounts for over 10.5% of total greenhouse gas emissions. In Bangladesh, rising temperatures, rapid urbanization, and a growing population have led to a surge in demand for air conditioning—once a luxury, now a necessity.

The Green Cooling Initiative (GCI) III project, implemented by GIZ, is supporting Bangladesh in adopting natural refrigerants and energy-efficient cooling systems through policy guidance, technology transfer, and capacity-building efforts.

The seminar brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, local manufacturers, technical experts, and sales professionals, to explore sustainable alternatives to traditional synthetic refrigerants.

Ms. Stoyanka Stich, Head of Energy Portfolio at GIZ, welcomed the participants by outlining the German government’s technical cooperation efforts in Bangladesh. Mr. Shanin Muntaha, representing the Green Cooling project, provided an overview of the project’s role in aiding Bangladesh’s transition to eco-friendly cooling technologies.

The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Mahiuddin Manik from the DOE, who highlighted the government’s initiatives to transform the RAC sector by replacing ozone-depleting substances (ODS) with environmentally friendly alternatives like R290 refrigerants.