Climate talks to lead to action

By Ermenegilda Boccabella, Nov 07, 2016, 12:55 3 minute reading

Following the Paris agreement, and just after the recent commitment in Kigali to phase down HFCs, the fight against climate change resumes this week in Marrakesh at the occasion of COP22.

The Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakesh, Morocco.

Industry and political leaders come together again in Marrakesh as of today (7th November 2016) to continue the fight against climate change at COP22 to discuss concrete actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

At Marrakesh, the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the Paris agreement will be discussing its implementation. This will involve highly technical discussions about financing for vulnerable countries, mitigation projects, stocktaking, reporting responsibilities, adaptation and loss and damage.

Following the entry into force on the Paris Agreement on Saturday 4 November 2016, Niels B. Christiansen, CEO at Danfoss wrote on a Huffington post blog: “COP 22 needs to be a COP of action”.

“It is a major milestone for countries, cities and companies. The next question must be how to translate this agreement into an actionable timeline”, he explained.

HVACR sector has a role to play

According to the IOR (Institute of Refrigeration), electricity consumption for refrigeration and air conditioning has been increasing over the last few years and now stands at 17% of the overall electricity used worldwide.

All market players know that we need to transition. There is a sense of urgency. Our social and economic platform is burning.”.  
- Niels B. Christiansen, Danfoss CEO.


“All market players know that we need to transition. There is a sense of urgency. Our social and economic platform is burning. And all of a sudden, energy efficiency is not about tightening the belt anymore; energy efficiency is an opportunity for countries, cities, and companies”, Christiansen says.

Many key players within the HVACR world have been increasing their energy efficiency requirements using low-GWP (global warming potential) natural refrigerants.

Best Year Ever!

The last 12 months have been key in the fight against climate change – from the Paris Agreement to the Montreal Protocol amendment. 

After four long weeks of reviewing and negotiating the Paris Agreement was finalised. Created under the United Nations Framework on the Convention of Climate Change (UNFCC), the agreement has a mechanism where countries submit emissions reductions targets and agree to be bound by them, aiming to cap global warming at 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

The Montreal Protocol on the Protection of the Ozone layer, which has stopped the hole in the ozone layer from growing by getting rid of ozone depleting substances, met again in Kigali Rwanda. They added an amendment phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). This step alone could reduce the earths warming by 0.5 of a degree.

Don’t stop

Countries will still need to be aggressive in the climate targets though. The United Nation Environment Program reported that now “It is likely the last chance to keep the option of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees [celsius] in 2100 open as all available scenarios consistent with the 1.5 degree [celsius] goal imply that global greenhouse gases peak before 2020.”

“Luckily, COP22 is the COP of Action. To seize the huge potential of energy efficiency, the key word here is policy action - on a global, national and regional scale and for cities, politicians and companies. To obtain smart, integrated energy systems we need to focus on actions on both the demand side and the supply side”, Christiansen concluded.

By Ermenegilda Boccabella (@sheccoGilda)

Nov 07, 2016, 12:55




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