VATIS UPDATE Article

According to government representatives responsible for implementing their Montreal Protocol commitments gathered in Chişinău, Moldova on 8-10 November, Central Asian and Caucasus countries have an opportunity to leapfrog from HCFCs to climate friendly solutions. The thematic meeting on implementing HCFC Phase-out Management Plans (HPMPs) – also attended by HVAC&R industry representatives – took account of survey findings in discussing the transition towards climate-friendly alternatives to HCFCs.

Inga Podoroghin, State Secretary in Moldova’s Environment Ministry, argued that the Amendment could prevent 0.5 degree Celsius of warming by the end of the century, representing a major contribution to achieving the goals of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement. Podoroghin said the Republic of Moldova is supporting the Protocol and called on other countries in the region to promote alternatives to HFCs.

Georgi Arzumanyan, of UNDP Moldova warned that increased HFC emissions may put in danger the success of international actions already taken to diminish climate change and argued that the HFC phase-down is a top priority. UNDP-backed survey findings presented at the event highlighted the contribution that natural refrigerants can make in replacing f-gases. Attendees also discussed enhancing legislation, adopting safety standards and providing training to companies.