Since becoming an Implementing Agency of the Multilateral Fund in 1991, UNEP OzonAction has built long-standing partnerships with key international, regional and national industry associations, professional societies, international organisations, government agencies, industry groups, and non-governmental organisations to further the objectives of the Montreal Protocol. These world-recognised partners bring their institutional reputation, expertise, and knowledge products to bear on issues related to implementation or enforcement of this multilateral environmental agreement in Article 5 countries. OzonAction's partnership activities produce and deliver the necessary support, tools and services that Article 5 countries efficiently implement their commitments under the Montreal Protocol and respond to emerging concerns and issues. These partnerships cover most of the important focus areas for the Parties of the Montreal Protocol with the main emphasis in the following:
• Certification of the refrigeration servicing sector technicians.
• Training and education of the refrigeration servicing sector.
• Advancement and deployment of suitable lower-GWP alternatives and technology.
• Surveying and analysing consuming sectors.
• Development and update of codes and standards.
• Customs training, monitoring trade and combating illegal trade.
• Development, enactment, and enforcement of policies and regulations.
The table below includes the partners with whom OzonAction's plans to cooperate in 2024 for different initiatives, products, and activities. New partners may be added during the course of the year depending on the needs of Article 5 countries and other emerging issues in relation to the implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING
AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING, AND REFRIGERATION INSTITUTE (AHRI)
Type of organisation: Industry Association
Scope: Global
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Promoting a global industry approach to qualify refrigeration technicians; cooperating in addressing technical needs for promoting low-GWP alternatives. The main partner in designing and implementing RDL programme.
Details of partnership: Develop and deploy a global refrigeration qualification program (entitled the ‘Refrigerant Driving License’): Administer theoretical part of the RDL exam, issue RDL certificates and wallet cards; Support UNEP in addressing research needs for examining lower-GWP alternatives in high ambient temperature countries.
AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION (AREA)
Type of organisation: Professional Industry Association
Scope: Global
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Promoting the adoption of ozone-friendly lower-GWP and energy efficient Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) technology; online e-learning; materials on the use of new refrigerants; certification of technicians. Member of the Refrigerant Driving License (RDL) Founding partner of INWIC (International Network of Women in Cooling).
Details of partnership: Sharing experience on strengthening RAC associations, training, certification, technology transfer, and innovation with the network countries; developing a “UNEP ARE training manual” on sound use of refrigerants to support training centres and programs in Article 5 countries. Online proctoring of the practical part of the RDL exam. Advance the engagement of women, promote career opportunities, and increase their overall participation
in the HVACR sector by coordinating INWIC activities and providing resources (webinars, training opportunities, participation in meetings/conferences).
AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (AREMA)
Type of organisation: Industry Association
Scope: National
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Providing technical assistance to 12 Pacific Island Countries (PIC) under the Regional PIC HPMP Stage II.
Details of partnership: Support the International Advisory Group of the RDL programme. Supporting 14 PICs under the Regional PIC HPMP Stage II through (i) delivering training on good servicing practices, (ii) updating the training curriculum for RAC good servicing practices and (iii) designing and implementing the certification of RAC technicians. Supporting 12 PICs to strengthen partnership with RAC Association to implement the Montreal Protocol activities.
Type of organisation: Professional Association
Scope: Global
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Supporting the evolving needs of developing countries by offering specialized services, products, and initiatives that facilitate refrigerant management for climate protection and energy-efficient Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) technology in Article-5 countries. Additionally, supporting in raising awareness and
promoting understanding among stakeholders in Article-5 countries about best practices in the sound management of refrigerants. Founding partner of INWIC (International Network of Women in Cooling).
Details of partnership: UNEP and ASHRAE have had a long-standing cooperation and biennial work plans since 2007. Joint activities include:
Updating, deploying, and reporting usage of the joint ASHRAE-UNEP products, tools, and initiatives to ensure effective outreach; - Explore opportunities to advance standards, codes, norms, and guidelines concerning refrigerants management, including aspects related to flammability, operation, and maintenance; Exchange and/or development of technology awareness resources, and actively promote activities that emphasize sustainability and stateof-the-art technologies. This includes encouraging the adoption of lower global warming potential (GWP) alternative refrigerants, efficient energy systems, and innovative building designs; Explore opportunities for engaging in joint technology research on areas of mutual interest, including identifying gaps in information needs in developing countries, gap analysis, and process for research; Explore opportunities for joint participation in relevant international and regional technical events, specially tailored to cater to the specific needs of developing countries; UNEP is also part of ASHRAE’s relevant refrigeration and research committees to ensure that the needs of Article 5 countries are well tabled in ASHRAE standards, research, and global programs; Advance the engagement of women, promote career opportunities, and increase their overall participation in the HVACR sector by coordinating INWIC activities and providing resources (webinars, training opportunities, participation in meetings/conferences).
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING (ARIAH)
Type of organisation: Professional/Industry Association
Scope: Global
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Founding partner of INWIC (International Network of Women in Cooling)
Details of partnership: Advance the engagement of women, promote career opportunities, and increase their overall participation in the HVACR sector by coordinating INWIC activities and providing resources (webinars, training opportunities, participation in meetings/conferences); Strengthening knowledge and skills of RAC Association/technicians in the PIC region.
BRAZILIAN ASSOCIATION OF REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION INDUSTRY (ABRAVA)
Type of organisation: Industry Association
Scope: National
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Member to the Refrigerant Driving License (RDL)
Details of partnership: Support the International Advisory Group of the RDL programme.
BUNDESFACHSCHULE KÄLTE-KLIMA-TECHNIK (BFS)
Type of organisation: Training Institute
Scope: Global
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Training and capacity building related to safe use of ozone-friendly low-GWP & energy efficient RAC technology.
Details of partnership: Co-developing training materials/applications for good practice, safety, and low-GWP refrigerants.
CHINA HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC APPLIANCES ASSOCIATION (CHEAA)
Type of organisation: Industry Association
Scope: National
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Facilitating South-South cooperation (especially in the Asia Pacific region) to exchange China’s experiences with the transition to R-290 (propane) in A/C industry to other Article 5 countries; cooperating in risk assessment for A3 refrigerants.
Details of partnership: Supporting the annual conference of CHEAA; cooperating to assist HAT countries regarding understanding the needs of using A3 refrigerants -based applications.
CHINA REFRIGERATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (CRAA)
Type of organisation: Industry Association
Scope: National
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Cooperation in organising technical events and implementation of national Montreal Protocol activities.
Details of partnership: Organising regular and annual O2C (Ozone2Climate) Roadshow to showcase and debate the latest low-GWP technologies feasible for the RAC industry in Article 5 countries.
CHINESE ASSOCIATION OF REFRIGERATION (CAR)
Type of organisation: Professional association
Scope: National
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Founding partner of INWIC (International Network of Women in Cooling)
Details of partnership: Advance the engagement of women, promote career opportunities, and increase their overall participation in the HVACR sector by coordinating INWIC activities and providing resources (webinars, training opportunities, participation in meetings/conferences); Organize training programme for technicians on handling ammonia based cold storage.
COLOMBIAN ASSOCIATION FOR AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION (ACAIRE)
Type of organisation: Industry Association
Scope: National
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Member of the Refrigerant Driving License (RDL).
Details of partnership: Support the International Advisory Group of the RDL programme.
EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIP FOR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT (EPEE)
Type of organisation: Industry Association
Scope: Regional
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Exchanging experiences with European Industry about analysing consuming sectors and building scenario models for alternatives availability and potential in markets.
Details of partnership: Updating the forecasting scenario model entitled “HFCs Outlook” for assessing consuming sectors, availability of alternatives and prospects in the short and long term vis-à-vis compliance scenarios from HCFC phase-out and HFC phasedown commitments.
FEDERATION OF IBERO-AMERICAN AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION ASSOCIATION (FAIAR)
Type of organisation: Industry Association
Scope: Regional
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Technical events, Campaigns, and support to RDL. Founding partner of INWIC (International Network of Women in Cooling).
Details of partnership: Organise technical functions and events, cooperate in international campaigns such as World Refrigeration Day, and support the International Advisory Group of the RDL programme. Advance the engagement of women, promote career opportunities, and increase their overall participation in the HVACR sector by coordinating INWIC activities and providing resources (webinars, training opportunities, participation in meetings/conferences).
GLOBAL FUND COLD CHAIN COUNCIL (GFCCC)
Type of organisation: Initiative (Industry and RAC associations)
Scope: Global
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Mapping the needs of Cold Chain sub-sectors in relation to lower-GWP technologies while considering the relationship between energy and food loss/waste.
Details of partnership: Adding the analysis module into the “Cold Chain Database Model” which is an in-depth survey for the cold chain subsectors to build better understanding the needs and possible interventions for promoting lower-GWP
alternatives and technology while connecting with energy demand, economics and food/loss dimensions; Organizing technical events on sustainable cold chain technologies in conjunction with the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment.
INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION (IOR)
Type of organisation: Professional Association
Scope: National/Regional
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Founding partner of INWIC (International Network of Women in Cooling)
Details of partnership: Advance the engagement of women, promote career opportunities, and increase their overall participation in the HVACR sector by coordinating INWIC activities and providing resources (webinars, training opportunities, participation in meetings/conferences)
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION (IIR)
Type of organisation: Inter-Governmental Organization
Scope: Global
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Promoting adoption of ozone-friendly low-GWP and energy efficient RAC technology; Founding partner of INWIC (International Network of Women in Cooling).
Details of partnership: Share technical information and expertise; organize joint events; co-organising thematic workshop on alternative technologies; Conduct global survey about Women in RAC sectors in cooperation with several associations and industry partners; Advance the engagement of women, promote career opportunities, and increase their overall participation in the HVACR sector by coordinating INWIC activities and providing resources (webinars, training opportunities, participation in meetings/conferences).
ITALIAN ASSOCIATION OF REFRIGERATION (ATF)
Type of organisation: Professional Association
Scope: European
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Advancing certification programmes for refrigeration servicing technicians.
Details of partnership: Cooperate in building national refrigeration servicing certification model similar to F-Gas certification but tailored to the needs and operating conditions of Article-5 countries; Assist 8 countries in Francophone Africa to establish national certification schemes.
JAPAN REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (JRAIA)
Type of organisation: Industry association
Scope: National
Type of cooperation with UNEP: South-South cooperation to exchange Japan’s experience in the transition to low-GWP alternatives in the A/C industry to other Article 5 countries; cooperating in risk assessment for A2L refrigerants.
Details of partnership: Organising several workshops/sessions and field trip for the air conditioning industry from West Asian HAT countries to Japan; cooperating to assist HAT countries to build risk assessment model for the use of A2L refrigerants. Building a Risk Assessment model for using A2L refrigerants as part of support PRAHA process.
Type of organisation: Industry Association
Scope: Regional
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Technical materials and events.
Details of partnership: Cooperation in designing an information kit for Mobile Air-Conditioning (MAC) and organise MAC related events and functions.
THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF HEATING, REFRIGERATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING ENGINEERS (ISHRAE)
Type of organisation: Professional Association
Scope: National
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Training programs, technical events, and support to small RAC associations; Founding partner of INWIC (International Network of Women in Cooling)
Details of partnership: Organise technical conferences and technology shows in addition to providing experience and support to small RAC associations in A5 countries; Develop Session at upcoming ACREX conference in February 2024 in Delhi, India and REFCOLD conference in October 2024 (location TBD); Advance the engagement of women, promote career opportunities, and increase their overall participation in the HVACR sector by coordinating INWIC activities and providing resources (webinars, training opportunities, participation in meetings/conferences).
THE JAPANESE SOCIETY OF REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING ENGINEERS (JSRAE)
Type of organisation: Professional Association
Scope: National
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Founding partner of INWIC (International Network of Women in Cooling)
Details of partnership: Advance the engagement of women, promote career opportunities, and increase their overall participation in the HVACR sector by coordinating INWIC activities and providing resources (webinars, training opportunities, participation in meetings/conferences).
THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY
Type of organisation: Inter-Governmental Organisation
Scope: Regional
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Enhancing energy efficiency of RAC appliances through the Pacific Appliance Labeling Standards (PALS)
Details of partnership: The Pacific Appliance Labeling Standards (PALS) is the programme that supports 10 PICs to establish the national MEPS for RAC appliance including residential air-conditioners, which is dominated RAC appliances in the region. The project was closed in 2019 with different level of implementation at the national level. In 2024, UNEP will collaborate with the Pacific Community to support the PICs that are part of this programme to strengthen the implementation of PALS to enhance energy efficiency in the RAC servicing sector, while phasing out HCFCs/phasing down HFCs.
UNION OF ASSOCIATIONS OF AFRICAN ACTORS IN REFRIGERATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING (U-3ARC)
Type of organisation: Professional Association
Scope: Regional
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Initiatives, technical events, training programs, and support to RAC associations in Africa; Founding partner of INWIC (International Network of Women in Cooling)
Details of partnership: Conduct research and data gathering to better understand the current situation of African countries with respect to the servicing sector’s ability to handle low-GWP alternatives, to help inform NOU strategies and approaches. Advance the engagement of women, promote career opportunities, and increase their overall participation in the HVACR sector by coordinating INWIC activities and providing resources (webinars, training opportunities, participation in meetings/conferences).
WOMEN IN HVACR
Type of organisation: Professional Association
Scope: National
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Founding partner of INWIC (International Network of Women in Cooling)
Details of partnership: Advance the engagement of women, promote career opportunities, and increase their overall participation in the HVACR sector by coordinating INWIC activities and providing resources (webinars, training opportunities, participation in meetings/conferences).
WORLD REFRIGERATION DAY SECRETARIAT
Type of organisation: International Initiative
Scope: Global
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Global public and specialized campaign to highlight the importance of sector and environmental issues in relation to Montreal Protocol
Details of partnership: Celebrating annually the World Refrigeration Day (WRD) through international campaigns with other international partners. Three campaigns organized in 2019, 2020, and 2021, 2022 and 2023 under the themes “Refrigerant4Life”, “Cold Chain4Life”, “Cooling Champions”, “Cooling Keeps Food Fresh” and “#NextGen Cooling” in cooperation with many partners; Advance the engagement of women, promote career opportunities, and increase their overall participation in the HVACR sector by coordinating INWIC activities and providing resources (webinars, training opportunities, participation in meetings/conferences).
CUSTOMS AND ENFORCEMENT
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)
Type of organisation: Intergovernmental
Scope: Regional
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Regional collaboration on strengthening of enforcement of licensing system through integrated approaches
Details of partnership: All Southeast Asia and the Pacific (SEAP) countries (except Timor Leste) are members of ASEAN, which has played a vital role in the region to promote regional collaboration in a number of aspects including the environment. In 2024, UNEP will collaborate with ASEAN through the Customs Working Group to strengthen enforcement of licensing system through integrated approaches such as risk profiling, post-clearance audit and to enhance awareness of the Customs Working Group on the Montreal Protocol trade control to strengthen regional cooperation in combatting illegal ODS trade for the Southeast Asia Network.
GREEN CUSTOMS INITIATIVE (GCI)
Type of organisation: International Partner
Scope: Global
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Customs training; compliance and enforcement; combatting illegal ODS trade.
Details of partnership: The GCI partners include the Secretariats of the relevant multilateral environmental agreements (Basel, Cartagena, CITES, Montreal, Rotterdam Stockholm and Minamata), Interpol, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, UNEP, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Customs Organization (WCO). The partnership is led and coordinated by UNEP Law Division/International Environmental Law Unit.
GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL (GCC) SECRETARIAT
Type of organisation: Regional
Scope: Regional
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Monitor the trade ODS and alternatives as well as combat illegal trade. Raise awareness about the Montreal Protocol and promote updated standards, policies and regulations, and subregional cooperation.
Details of partnership: UNEP is cooperating with GCC and other regional & sub-regional organisations and secretariats to support the development and implementation of strategies or action plans to foster the monitoring of ODS trade and alternatives as well as to combat illegal trade, Raise awareness of member states about related issues and promote for regional cooperation for adopting unified regional standards, regulations, and policies as required for meeting MP targets including the adoption of the Kigali Amendment.
LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES (LAS) SECRETARIAT
Type of organisation: Regional
Scope: Regional
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Development and dissemination of Codes.
Details of partnership: UNEP is working jointly with LAS on updating the Arab Unified RAC codes and adding two more codes on District Cooling and Commercial Refrigeration and completing the process of updating the insulation materials codes as part of the regional building codes; Developing tools for the introduction of the developed/updated codes to all Arab Member States; Raise awareness of member states about related issues and promote regional cooperation for adopting unified regional standards, regulations, and policies as required for meeting MP targets including the adoption of the Kigali Amendment.
OCEANIA CUSTOMS ORGANISATION SECRETARIAT (OCO)
Type of organisation: Regional
Scope: Regional
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Strengthening the capacity of customs/enforcement officers on enforcement of licensing system for controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol.
Details of partnership: Following the successful partnership to assign specific HS codes for HFCs and most commonly used and potential blends under the region HS code namely Pacific Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System 2022 (PACHS22), UNEP continued partnership with OCO to further strengthen the capacity of customs/enforcement officers on enforcement of licensing system for controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol. In 2024, UNEP will continue collaborating with OCO on the following: Adoption of Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) on the Enforcement of Licensing System for Controlled Substances under the Montreal Protocol in the national enforcement process of the PICs to enhance national controlled substances trade control/management regulation; Implementation of integrated approach e.g. training of customs brokers, harmonized system code, risk profiling, and monitoring, reporting, verification, and enforcement (MRVE) mechanism, and post-clearance audit etc to further strengthen controlled substances trade control/management regulation; Inclusion of agenda item on enforcement of national controlled substances trade control/management regulation as part of the agenda for the regional meetings/events organised by OCO.
WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANISATION (WCO)
Type of organisation: International organisation
Scope: Global
Type of cooperation with UNEP: Customs training; e-training; compliance and enforcement; combatting illegal ODS trade
Details of partnership: UNEP and WCO have a formal framework for cooperation (MOU). UNEP cooperates with WCO Headquarters as well as WCO’s Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs), Regional Offices of Capacity Building (ROCB), and Regional Training Centres (e.g., AKMAL in Malaysia, ROK, India); UNEP will also work with WCO to strengthen the capacity of the customs in Article 5 countries to establish risk profiling criteria for trade controlled of substances under the Montreal Protocol.
