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COP22: The role of refrigeration in the combat against climate change

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP22) was held in Marrakesh (Morocco), from 7-18 November 2016. It was, in particular, the first meeting of the Parties (CMA1) following the December 2015 Paris Agreement, and its purpose was to specify many elements for the implementation of this agreement after its ratification.

COP22: The role of refrigeration in the combat against climate change



The growing importance of refrigeration highlighted during the COP22


The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP22) was held in Marrakesh (Morocco), from 7-18 November 2016. It was, in particular, the first meeting of the Parties (CMA1) following the December 2015 Paris Agreement, and its purpose was to specify many elements for the implementation of this agreement after its ratification.

Despite the significant number of attendees and the quality of in-depth discussions, little progress was made. Regarding the implementation of practical arrangements, we will certainly have to wait for the next two COPs, to be held in Bonn (Germany), chaired by Fiji in 2017 and in Poland, chaired by Poland, in 2018.



Strong commitment from the African continent alongside the IIR


This COP was marked by a strong commitment from the African countries - and Morocco in particular - which were very active during this event.

The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) was present with a booth to promote its activities (publications, conferences, workshops, research projects, etc.) among its member countries.


The Kigali agreement (Rwanda) of October 2016 must indeed lead to a radical reconsideration of the way refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump devices should evolve worldwide in the years to come. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are expected to disappear by 2030, and the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), that have traditionally replaced them, have to be significantly reduced in the next thirty years (see agreement on IIR website: www.iifiir.org). The implementation of the agreement entails new challenges in terms of energy consumption of equipment and safety of facilities.


Didier Coulomb, Director General of the IIR, delivered a speech on this subject during the high-level segment at the end of the conference (see photo).



The IIR will continue to be actively involved in the following COPs: global warming is a major challenge for the entire refrigeration sector. Solutions which have a low impact on greenhouse gas emissions exist in most applications, but they require scientific, technical and financial support as well as objective expertise that the IIR can and must provide.



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