LocationsUNDP Resident Representative in China Beate Trankmann delivering opening remarks
周国梅，主任，生态环境部对外合作与交流中心 (Madame Zhou Guomei, Director-General of the Foreign Economic Cooperation Office of the Ministry of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment),
张朝晖，副理事长兼秘书长，中国制冷空调工业协会 (Mr. Zhang Zhaohui, Chairman of the China Refridgeration and Air-conditioning Industry Association)，
Ladies and Gentlemen, Colleagues and friends,
早上好！欢迎大家来到2021年的臭氧气候技术路演及工业圆桌会议
(Good Morning and welcome to the "2021 Ozone Climate Technology Roadshow & Industry Roundtable!")
I’m delighted to join this event. Because Climate change is the greatest threat to our future on earth – and an intact Ozone Layer is vital in slowing it down.
Today’s Roadshow aims to support and showcase new technologies that help preserve our Ozone Layer – especially those used in phasing-out Ozone Depleting Substances – while helping to mitigate climate change. It will display new kinds of low Global Warming Potential value technology, including applying and developing natural refrigerants, such as carbon dioxide, ammonia and hydrocarbons. It will also discuss the challenges of replacing older, less green technologies. But technology does not change by itself. So I also invite everyone today to continue discussing new methods and policies to support industries, end-users and other stakeholders in setting expectations and defining future plans.
Safeguarding the Ozone Layer and moving to net zero emissions under China’s 2060 Carbon Neutrality pledge, serve the same goal: slowing global warming. Indeed, if fully implemented, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol can prevent 0.4 degrees Celsius of global warming – a critical difference in the fight for our planet. And the refrigeration industry plays a key role in promoting alternative substances with low Global Warming Potential (GWP) value. It can also deploy highly energy efficient cooling equipment, effectively reducing energy demand and the associated CO2 emissions in energy generation.
As the international organization responsible for eliminating ozone depleting Hydrochlorofluorocarbons in China's Industrial and Commercial Refrigeration (ICR) industry, UNDP has worked with our Chinese partners to jointly phase-out HCFCs. The Foreign Economic Cooperation Office (FECO) of the Ministry of Environment and Ecology has played a major role in this. As a result, China is now closer to fulfilling its obligations to the Montreal Protocol of reducing HCFC consumption by 67.5%, by 2025.
We are proud to have supported China’s industrial and commercial refrigeration industry in phasing out ODS over many years, through technological innovations, new refrigerants and improved energy efficiency. UNDP rigorously demonstrated how new technologies can effectively reduce HCFCs. This has helped to fill the domestic technology gap in replacing these chemicals, making an important contribution to reducing air pollution in Beijing.
Past progress in curbing these chemicals is a testament to what all our efforts can achieve. Indeed, the Montreal Protocol to remove gases used in aerosols and cooling appliances is one of the most successful examples of international cooperation.
By bringing together governments, scientists and industry, 99% of these gases have been replaced, and the Ozone Layer is now healing – a crucial step for life on earth to continue.
But our work is far from done. Through the Protocol’s Kigali Amendment to gradually reduce production and consumption of HFCs, the world is now finding new alternatives for coolants that contribute to climate change. Since entering into force on 1st January 2019, the Amendment has so far been ratified by 115 countries. I am encouraged to see the Chinese government continuing to advance its ratification, which is expected in the near future. It is imperative that this momentum is maintained. We must continue to boost the use of Zero-ODP, low GWP refrigerants, while phasing-out HCFCs and HFCs.
For this to happen, policies and programmes must continue to be developed or strengthened, including extending control over HFCs and its commercial blends. Strategies that can facilitate the introduction of lower GWP alternatives are key, along with policies and standards supporting improved energy efficiency and safe application of flammable or toxic refrigerants, as well as technical assistance, training and awareness raising. And with China one of the leading exporters of these technologies to other developing countries, some of you may already be at the forefront of this global revolution.
Going forward, UNDP will continue to support countries around the world, including China, in forming efficient and sustainable solutions to achieve the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment targets. I am delighted to see experts from around the world, along with industrial representatives, policymakers, international organizations and others, joining this important opportunity to meet our climate commitments and protect the Ozone Layer.
As we build back from Covid-19, we must ensure more resilient societies, through policies and investments that combat climate change and protect our environment. And we know that this is possible. In the words of UN Secretary General Antonia Guterres: “The ozone treaties stand out as inspiring examples that show that, where political will prevails, there is little limit to what we can achieve.” [1]
I wish today’s event every success in strengthening those efforts to safeguard our planet, so it can continue to sustain generations to come. Thank you!
