UNEP and CCAC launch practical guide for national lifecycle refrigerant management in developing countries

A roadmap for national refrigerant lifecycle management

 

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with the Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), has recently released the report “National Plans for Lifecycle Refrigerant Management: A Practical Guide for Developing Countries” ^[1]. The publication aims to support Article 5 Parties in developing National Action Plans (NAPs) that transform inventories of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) banks into practical, costed strategies for lifecycle refrigerant management (LRM).

 

The Guide promotes an integrated approach covering refrigerant recovery, recycling, reclamation and environmentally sound disposal, helping countries reduce emissions from existing refrigerant banks while meeting their obligations under the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment. It is primarily intended as a practical resource for National Ozone Units (NOUs), environmental ministries and implementing agencies responsible for refrigerant management.

 

From inventories to implementation

 

Beyond outlining the policy context, the Guide provides governments with practical methodologies for preparing national refrigerant-bank inventories, designing National Action Plans and integrating lifecycle refrigerant management into existing HCFC Phase-out Management Plans (HPMPs), Kigali HFC Implementation Plans (KIPs) and National Cooling Action Plans (NCAPs).

 

Drawing on experiences from Multilateral Fund projects and national case studies, the publication highlights the importance of combining effective regulation, technician training, reliable data systems, institutional coordination and sustainable financing. By providing practical tools and implementation guidance, the report aims to help developing countries establish comprehensive lifecycle refrigerant management systems that contribute to ozone protection, climate mitigation, circular economy objectives and the long-term sustainability of the refrigeration sector.

 

For more information, the full report is available in open access on the Climate & Clean Air Coalition website and on FRIDOC.

 

 

Source:

[1] United Nations Environment Programme and Climate and Clean Air Coalition (2026). National Plans for Lifecycle Refrigerant Management: A Practical Guide for Developing Countries. Paris. https://www.ccacoalition.org/resources/national-action-plans-lifecycle-refrigerant-management-practical-guide-developing-countries