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Funded by the EU and jointly implemented with UNEP, the ‘HCFC Phaseout and Mobile Air Conditioning’ project consists of two main components: The first one will encourage developing countries to expedite their compliance with HCFC phase-out obligations and adopt energy efficient alternatives to HCFCs with minimal climate impact, such as hydrocarbons. The second component will focus on next generation mobile air conditioning technology in China and India.

The project aims at creating higher awareness within developing countries of sustainable HCFC-free technologies available. The project will hence indicate means to facilitate the take-up of energy efficient technologies with zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and minimal impact to global warming, such as hydrocarbons in different applications including Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC). It will further promote best practices and better engineered and energy efficient technology.

Scale 1: HCFC phase-out

The first scale of the project is a “JumpStart" project to encourage developing countries to expedite their compliance with the HCFC phase-out obligations and to adopt environmentally friendly alternatives to HCFCs.

The specific objective of this component of the project is to build capacity for a smooth and efficient phase-out of HCFCs in developing countries to comply with the deadlines set by the Montreal Protocol. It will facilitate information sharing on HCFCs and their alternatives and encourage the adoption of non ozone depleting, low or zero GWP and energy efficient technologies and alternatives, such as hydrocarbons. The project also aims at raising awareness in areas such as funding available to support transition from HCFCs, management of HCFC banks, and actions to combat illegal trade in these chemicals.

Scale 2: Reducing car emissions in China and India's MAC sector

The second scale of the project provides support for next generation MAC technology, with the aim of reducing emissions in China and India's mobile air conditioning (MAC) sector.

This part of the project will raise awareness on sustainable MAC technology focusing on new and near market MAC technologies that leads to lower direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced local pollution. It will also cover the issue of responsible servicing practices of current technologies.

A good opportunity for hydrocarbons

The potential participation of stakeholders representing hydrocarbons technology at workshops and web fora organised under the project will enable identifying the advantages associated with hydrocarbon refrigerants, namely that they are cheap, energy efficient and can be used for retrofitting purposes. Meanwhile, targeted surveys on barriers to adoption of alternatives to HCFCs will indentify next steps for action that could address the barriers that various technologies, including hydrocarbon technology, face.