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Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change II (C4 II)

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Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV)
Partner countries: Costa Rica, Grenada, the Philippines

Objective

The objective of the project is to foster sustainable development of the RAC sector by strengthening the competence of key actors and improving related structures. C4 II adapts existing methodologies and develops new tools for replication in other countries, promoting the transformation towards sustainable cooling. Increased ambition triggered by sector specific NDC implementation plans is expected to unlock enormous GHG reduction potential. 

Country specific objective

Cooperation with the three partner countries is twofold: Firstly, the countries will be supported in advancing and implementing the cooling strategies developed with C4 I assistance. Secondly, all three countries will serve as valuable sources of knowledge on cooling strategies, policy approaches and green cooling technology demonstration, which is highly relevant for an increasing number of third countries.  

Approach

A sustainable approach enabling a strong multiplier effect lies at the core of the project. Best practices and instruments developed in C4 I are to be made available to other countries for replication in blueprints and guidelines. This includes, for instance, a blueprint on sector-specific NDCs or a roadmap for the introduction of Minimum Energy Performance Standards. Proven approaches are to be systematically transferred to other regions, which in turn will increase awareness of Green Cooling. 

Partner countries

Download our project factsheets

Latest News

Cool Talks: “We are very passionate about the impact that we have on the environment”

09.08.2023 , News :

For this Cool Talk, we have had the opportunity to interview Paolo Zunino. Paolo is C.E.O. at GTS S.p.A. with more than 30 years’ experience in several market segments. He started this position in 2017 and since then, along with his team of experts, he has been involved in natural refrigerant gases development all over the world.

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Paolo Zunino, C.E.O. at GTS S.p.A.

Why joining the Green Cooling Initiative?

We believe it suits our “mission” and therefore we decided to join it.

What is your professional background and how long have you been working in this field?

I’m Electronical Engineer, with several years in sales and in medium company management, before joining this sector in 2017.

How does your company contribute to making the RAC sector more climate-friendly?

GTS manufactures R290 (opens in a new window) and R600a (opens in a new window), which are natural refrigerants with a sustainable CO2 footprint, through a distillation plant using R290 (opens in a new window)Heat Pumps while being powered by a 1MW solar plant. By reducing our “Scope 3 (opens in a new window)” emissions, we work more efficiently and subsequently make the world greener.

Where do you see the biggest obstacle for green cooling technologies at the moment?

The opposition of the chemical products “big manufacturers”.

What would an ideal cooling sector look like in the future?

A sector where only natural refrigerant gases (CO2, Ammonia and Hydrocarbons) are permitted and where chemical gases (ODP, GWP, PFAS and other in the future…) are banned!

What makes you believe that we will master the transition to Green Cooling?

The road has been traced, the technologies exist, sustainable progress cannot be stopped!

Speaking of safety: what would you say to people who think natural refrigerants are too risky to handle?

We have been using flammable gas (methane) openly in our kitchens for decades, we have R600a (opens in a new window) into our refrigerators since tens of years, we have tens of litres of flammable gas/liquids (gasoline/petrol/LPG) into our cars since more than a century, why would a few hundred grams of flammable gas be a problem all of the sudden?

Find the latest 'Cool Talk' here

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In our "Cool Talks" interview series, members of the Green Cooling Initiative Network share their vision of Green Cooling. The GCI Network is an alliance of key players in the refrigeration, air-conditioning & foam sector. It comprises government institutions, international organisations and the private sector. They are united on one goal: the transformation of the cooling sector – for the benefit of people, the environment, and our shared future.

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