MOP 27: Strong debate in the run-up to COP21

The 27th meeting of the parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP 27) kick off on Monday.

Delegates representing governments, UN agencies, Montreal Protocol expert panels and committees, non-governmental organisations, and industry met in Dubai for the 27th meeting of the parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP 27), held from 1-5 November 2015.

Following the 36th Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG 36), held in July 2015 in Paris, MOP 27 delegates continued discussions and addressed the outcomes of OEWG 36.

MOP 27 was the ideal occasion to focus on proposed amendments to the Montreal Protocol, issues related to the phase-down and phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), as well as compliance and data reporting issues.

Quality side events

Confirming the position of the IIR as the only intergovernmental science and technology based organization in the refrigeration sector, Didier Coulomb, IIR Director General, attended this global meeting and participated in several side events.

Some of the side events included:

ODS (Ozone Depleting Substances) Management in the Fishery Sector

With Didier Coulomb and Paul de Larminat, IIR member, as invited speakers, this side event brought to the forefront the marine refrigerated cold chain management of this globally interlinked industry, possible data gaps for meeting and sustaining compliance obligations and associated socio economic impacts.

Preliminary studies conducted in the Pacific Region were presented with the aim of demonstrating the urgent need to address the use and demand of HCFCs and HFCs in the marine fishing sector.

Energy Efficiency and Refrigerants Management towards Sustainable Cold Chain

A this side event, Didier Coulomb (see photo) introduced the main technical issues surrounding the cold-chain sector in terms of refrigerant management and energy efficiency.

Topics covered included:

IIR figures concerning refrigeration industry and cold-chain sector
Energy efficiency, energy infrastructures and new energy sources
Refrigerant’s management for cold chain sector
Partnerships with international organizations FAO, UNIDO and CIHEAM
IIR working group on the cold chain in warm countries and the joint UNEP-IIR Experts Meeting

Establishment and Operation of Sound Certification Schemes for Technicians

The IIR is a supporting association of the REAL Alternatives European training programme, which provides information on the safe use of alternatives such as ammonia, hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide and low flammables.

The UNEP OzonAction side event, in cooperation with UNIDO, addressed the implementation of certification schemes for technicians concluded with the launch of the new UNEP booklet “National Certification Schemes for Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Service Technicians: Examples of Strategies and Requirements for their Establishment and Operation.”