Statement given by Didier Coulomb, Director General of the IIR, during COP 21

Refrigeration (including air conditioning) is indispensable to life. It will continue to grow steadily in the future, with a strong growth expected in developing countries. However, refrigeration accounts for about 17% of global electricity use, and some refrigerants (most CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs) are potent greenhouse gases if released into the atmosphere.

 

Coordination with the Montreal Protocol must be implemented as soon as possible in order to engage a phase down of HFCs having a high global warming potential.

 

The energy efficiency of alternatives to current HCFCs and HFCs is crucial. It is already satisfactory in many applications, and this should soon be the case in other applications thanks to technological developments in progress.

 

Safety may hamper the uptake of these alternative solutions, as they may present new risks. Standards and regulations must be adapted to the current technical knowledge: this is a major issue, both at the international and national levels.

 

Objective, practical and up-to-date science-based information on technologies already available or in developmental stage, concerning their possible uses, their pros and cons, is indispensable. The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) can provide it to you. Join us. Thank You!