The 7th edition of the Ozone2Climate (O2C) Technology Roadshow and Industry Roundtable was organized as part of the China Refrigeration Expo (CRH) 2018 – one of the leading heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) expositions in Beijing, China on April 9-10. CRH 2018 was visited by approximately 60,000 professionals from over 100 countries. Erik Solheim, Executive Director of UN Environment, delivered an address by video for the opening of CRH 2018, in which he said, “China is leading on Ozone-Climate friendly cooling technology and showing exciting leadership on virtually every environmental challenge.” The O2C event was organized by UN Environment OzonAction in partnership with the China Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Industry Association (CRAA), with the Foreign Economic Cooperation Office of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (FECO MEE) as the co-organizer. The event was inaugurated by Dr. Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Head of OzonAction, Yu Lifeng, Deputy Director General of FECO MEE, Devanand Ramiah, Deputy Director of UNDP China, and Zhang Zhaohui, Secretary General of CRAA. In her opening remarks Dr. Nair-Bedouelle said, “Refrigeration and air-conditioning are the cornerstones of modern civilization. Ozone protection, energy efficiency, climate protection and life cycle environmental safeguards are the guiding principles of sustainability in this sector. These unique O2C events share technology and policy best practices to help countries implement holistic and sustainable refrigerant management.” 48 National Ozone Officers (NOOs) from South Asia, South East Asia and West Asia along with approximately 10,000 visitors attended O2C. The NOOs were introduced to the latest low global warming potential (GWP) and energy efficient technologies by 63 global industry pioneers.

The NOOs provided feedback of what they learnt on the specific technologies that are of interest to their country context. O2C Technology was organized in an exhibition area of about 600 sq. meter within the larger CRH 2018 expo area of almost 100,000 sq. meter. The O2C Industry Roundtable held on 10th April 2018 introduced the NOOs and around 260 delegates to the latest technology and policy updates on adoption and promotion of low GWP and energy efficient cooling and heating systems. Some of the themes of discussion were challenges on the uptake of flammable technologies, servicing sector barriers in developing countries, latest technologies in specific heating and cooling applications and the impacts expected by the Montreal Protocol’s Kigali Amendment. The Industry Roundtable also launched China’s Guidebook on ‘Maintenance Technology and Operation Guide for Refrigeration and Airconditioning Equipment’ developed under China’s HCFC Phaseout Management Plan, with implementation assistance from the UN Environment’s Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP).