Experiences by the ROCA project
The project Refroidissement respectueux de l'Ozone et du Climat en Afrique de l'Ouest et Centrale (ROCA) promotes Green Cooling in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, and Senegal. It’s the first project in this region with a focus on natural refrigerants. In this side event, ROCA representatives present results and lessons learnt of their work.
ROCA focuses on three areas:
- Capacity development: Skilled work force is key for enabling a transition to natural refrigerants and for improving energy efficiency. More than 500 technicians and trainers took part in ROCA’s trainings in good refrigeration practices and in the safe handling of natural refrigerants. To ensure quality education on a long term, ROCA has equipped several training centres and associations with training benches and material worth almost 390 000 Euros.
- Technology transfer: With its pilot projects, ROCA demonstrates which technologies are available – while improving local living conditions, e.g. with refrigerators for vaccines and blood reserves.
- Policy Advice: In cooperation with the national ozone units, ROCA has established inventories of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and has developed energy efficiency strategies.
In each area, ROCA has had successes but also encountered challenges. This side event will give more insights on these experiences and share recommendations for future project activities.
ROCA is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).