Exergyn’s Post

The illegal smuggling of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) into Europe poses a significant challenge to global environmental efforts, despite regulations aimed at phasing them out. HFCs are commonly used in industrial and retail cooling systems and, while they don’t harm the ozone layer, their global warming potential is thousands of times greater than CO2. A recent report from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) highlights how large quantities of HFCs are being smuggled from China and Turkey into Europe, bypassing international agreements like the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol. This agreement targets an 85% reduction in HFC use by 2036 compared to 2012 levels. The smuggling operations are sophisticated, with illegal shipments entering the EU through countries such as Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine. Many involved in this black market are also licensed traders who simply exceed their quotas due to high demand and the lucrative nature of the trade, driven by the phasedown of HFCs. This not only makes HFCs more accessible and cheaper but also undermines efforts to transition to greener alternatives. In 2021, it was estimated that illegal HFCs might account for 20-30% of legally traded volumes, equivalent to up to 30 million tons of CO2 emissions. The persistent demand and difficulty in enforcing regulations highlight the need for improved international cooperation and enforcement to combat this issue. As Europe continues to fight against climate change, enhancing enforcement, promoting alternative refrigerants, and increasing awareness are crucial. We must protect our planet by ensuring that international environmental agreements are upheld. #Environment #ClimateChange #Sustainability #HFCs #GreenhouseGases #EUEcoChallenge

The Montreal Protocol is the world's most effective multilateral environmental agreement. The "treaty that works" has successfully phased out virtually all production of ozone-depleting substances, such as CFCs and halons, since its inception in 1987. Now, under the Kigali Amendment, the Montreal Protocol is phasing down production of HFCs and, in the process, creating new and fast-growing markets for climate-friendly refrigerants of all kinds. At Exergyn, we are well-positioned to capitalize on this global shift in refrigerants across a wide range of heating and cooling applications. https://wapo.st/4bUznW6

🌍Carbon pricing and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism #CBAM are crucial tools in the EU’s efforts to counter climate change. European industry is a global leader in producing clean technologies more sustainably.  🏭The current scenario presents a challenge: carbon pricing and greener production standards come with additional costs for heat pump manufacturers within the #EU, but non-EU competitors too often do not face the same costs and therefore do not respect the same standards.    🌱To maintain a level playing field, the EU needs to make sure that European #competitiveness is not penalised by these tools. Finished components and products imported into the EU need to pay a similar price for their emissions. You can find the full plan here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dmJD6SQp Find out more on our website 👉 https://lnkd.in/ddyHPkE5 #HeatPumpsNeedAction #10StrategicActions #CarbonPricing #CBAM #EUCompetitiveness #Decarbonisation 

According to the Cool Coalition, we could reduce cooling-related greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 — which will represent around 10% of global emissions — by at least 60% if we were to: 🌳 Scaling up the adoption of passive cooling strategies ⚡ Enhancing energy efficiency standards for cooling equipment 📉 Accelerating the HFC phasedown beyond the Kigali Amendment These emissions reductions could be boosted to 96% depending on the rate of grid decarbonization. Learn more about the importance of meeting cooling demand while cutting emissions in the Global Cooling Watch report ➡ https://lnkd.in/eQMdcga3 #ClimateAction #ActOnCooling #ClimateMitigation #EmissionsReductions #ClimateAdaptation #ClimateResilience #CoolingForAll #SustainableCooling #PassiveCooling #EnergyEfficiency #HFCPhasedown #KigaliAmendment #EnergyTransition #GridDecarbonization

Since 2016, the number of countries including HFCs in their NDC GHG mitigation target has more than doubled, from 51 to 105. Nearly 90% of the parties that include HFCs in their NDC target also have ratified the Kigali Amendment. Despite the commitment to phase down HFCs, only 17 countries include a specific HFC target or assessment of mitigation potential. Next week, Climate & Clean Air Coalition Cooling Hub will bring together countries and experts on How to Include Targeted Cooling Measures to Support countries' NDCs Economy-Wide Target during a side event at the 46th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. https://lnkd.in/djg5dfw6

The UNECE secretariat to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Air Convention) and the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition announce a 3-day Sub-regional Workshop on Integrated Planning for Climate and Air in Astana, Kazakhstan, from June 11-13, 2024. This workshop is a unique opportunity to bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss and strategize on integrated planning approaches that address both climate change and air pollution. Key focus areas will include: 1. Developing coordinated policies and measures for climate and air quality improvement 2. Sharing best practices and successful case studies from the region 3. Enhancing regional cooperation for a cleaner, healthier environment Chiara Giamberardini and Michal Drabik, Economic Affairs Officers at UNECE SED will speak at this event on increasing ambition for fossil fuel methane abatement, sharing guidelines and best practices. Today, UNECE and ESCAP met with the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan to discuss key topics and explore future enhanced collaboration. The focus areas included: 1. Renewable energy scale-up and hydrogen 2. Methane management and just energy transition 3. UNECE & ESCAP Programme on Energy Connectivity in Central Asia and the Caucasus 4. SDG7 roadmap and its implementation

Since 2014, emissions of highly potent, human-made fluorinated greenhouse gases – also known as F-gases – have dropped by 2⃣5⃣% in the EU! ☁️📉 New 🇪🇺 rules are further reducing F-gases while encouraging eco-friendly alternatives. This stimulates innovation and creates new, green opportunities for EU industry 🏭, all the while protecting the climate and environment. Find out more 👇  europa.eu/!mwr6bN

An investigation into Switzerland's pioneering project to offset CO2 emissions with efficient cookstoves in Ghana reveals shortcomings and dangers.   It is true that new cookstoves are an inexpensive way to improve the lives of many people in poorer countries and at the same time reduce greenhouse gas emissions ...   BUT: ❌ Climate compensation projects, e.g. with cooking stoves, cannot replace climate protection in Switzerland and the socio-ecological transformation at home. ❌ CO2 reduction and the respective climate impact is much lower than hoped for and reported by those responsible (keyword: #greenwashing). ❌ Once again, certain companies and investors appear to be among the big winners in the offsetting business. ❌ The market mechanism of certificate trading creates false and dangerous incentives that ultimately undermine honest efforts to achieve the climate protection that is needed worldwide.   WHAT WE NEED: ✅ Climate action (mitigation and adaptation) in poorer countries should be provided and supported via #internationalClimateFinance. ✅ Companies and investors that are fueling the climate crisis must contribute to the financing of climate measures in poor countries (#makePollutersPay). ✅ Absolute #transparency and honest #reporting are needed in CO2 certificate trading. ✅ Emissions trading does not exempt any country from consistently advancing domestic climate protection and striving for and implementing #climateNeutrality in a socially responsible manner (#JustTransition) and as quickly as possible.   An investigation by Alliance Sud that reads like an economic thriller and is well worth reading ... (in English, German and French) 👇   #governmentalOffsetting #ClimateCompensation #COP29 #internationalClimateFinance #JustTransition #mitigation #adaptation #makePollutersPay Bernd Steimann Patrik Berlinger Christina Aebischer Delia Berner https://lnkd.in/dGrginyQ

In a truly ground breaking ruling, the European Court of Human Rights today ruled that Switzerland has failed in its positive #humanrights obligations to protect its citizens against the adverse effects of #climatechange. There were 'critical lacunae' in the Swiss regulatory framework: failure to quantify, through a #carbonbudget or otherwise, national GHG limitations. Switzerland also failed to meet its own GHG reduction targets. Violations of right to life (art. 2), family life (art. 8) and due process (art. 6). Two other rulings were (predictably but nonetheless regrettably) dismissed: Careme (no victim) and Agostinho (no exhaustion of remedies). Ruling (250p!) here: https://lnkd.in/enS4WpZ9 #climatelitigation #climatejustice

▶️Establishing water as a standalone strategic priority on a par with the EU #GreenDeal has now become a must Read the article on the #BlueDeal by Pietro Francesco De Lotto in Euractiv : https://lnkd.in/eUAwdDia