UNIDO Environment

Towards energy-efficient hospitality sector in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is advancing its transition towards sustainable cooling through a combination of capacity building, technology demonstration, and better refrigerant management practices.

During the commemoration of the Ozone Day and the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment, UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization launched a new energy-efficiency pilot project that will support the adoption of energy efficient, cooling technologies with low global warming potential in the hotel sector. This will help strengthen energy management practices and build local capacities for measuring and verifying energy savings.

The Dominican Republic and UNIDO also recently organized training for refrigeration and air-conditioning professionals on refrigerant recovery, identification, classification, and regeneration, while supporting the successful commissioning of a refrigerant regeneration unit.

Together, these initiatives are helping to reduce refrigerant emissions, improve energy efficiency, and create the conditions for the wider adoption of sustainable cooling solutions across the country.

These efforts demonstrate how collaboration between the Government of the Dominican Republic, The National Ozone Programme (PRONAOZ), industry stakeholders, and UNIDO Environment can accelerate the transition towards sustainable cooling, delivering benefits for the ozone layer, the climate, and energy efficiency.

Pics: PRONAOZ



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Ozone day event in Nigeria attracts youth participation

An active participation in an ‘ozone quiz’ competition for secondary school students from environmental clubs across Abuja, was among the highlights of this year’s ozone day commemoration event in Nigeria.

Organized by the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria in collaboration with UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP, UN Environment Programme and national partners, the event highlighted Nigeria’s continued commitment to protecting the ozone layer while advancing climate-friendly and energy-efficient cooling solutions. It was held under this year's theme ‘Global Action for a Cooler Planet, marking 10 years of sustainable cooling under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

The competition tested the students’ knowledge of ozone protection, the , the Kigali Amendment, climate action and sustainable cooling, while encouraging young people to become environmental champions of the future.

Participants reflected on the remarkable achievements of the Montreal Protocol and the growing importance of sustainable cooling in addressing both environmental and development challenges. Among those present were stakeholders from government, industry, international organizations, academia, civil society, and youth.

UNIDO Environment is commitment to supporting Nigeria’s transition to climate-friendly technologies and strengthening local manufacturing capacity and enabling a sustainable industrial transformation.



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World Ozone Day in Syria: Meeting Growing Cooling Demand with Sustainable Technology

Syria celebrated World Ozone Day in Damascus under this year’s theme, “Global action for a cooler planet.” The Ministry of Local Administration and Environment (وزارة الإدارة المحلية والبيئة السورية) used the event to show where Syria stands and where it needs to go next.

Syria has been a party to the Montreal Protocol since 1989 and ratified the Kigali Amendment in 2021, which requires a 10% cut in its Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) consumption from the baseline by 2029. HFC are chemicals which are potent greenhouse gases and are mainly used in the cooling sector.

The main challenge is growing demand for cooling. As the Syrian economy recovers and homes, businesses and infrastructure are rebuilt, demand for refrigeration and air conditioning will rise. The country needs to meet it with sustainable technologies that use climate-friendly refrigerants and less energy.

Syria’s licensing system now covers HFCs, and its Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) phase-out programme is under way. Next steps include updated regulations, closer coordination with customs, technician training for safe handling of alternatives and support for manufacturers switching to new technologies.

UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization is working with national counterparts, with funding from the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund. UNEP leads the phase-out plan, while UNIDO handles the manufacturing investment projects and part of the servicing work. In servicing, UNIDO Environment has delivered equipment to training centres and held awareness workshops. Under the manufacturing component, UNIDO will support the foam sector, where many SMEs operate, to adopt low-carbon alternatives, and will help convert a domestic air-conditioner production line.

UNIDO welcomes the opportunity to support Syria’s recovery and build a cooling sector that serves its people while protecting the ozone layer and the climate.



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On Ozone Day, Cameroon highlights its ongoing activities under climate action

A special event to commemorate the International day for the preservation of the Ozone layer was held in Yaoundé, Cameroon under the theme Global Action for a Cooler Planet and to celebrate 10 Years of Sustainable Cooling under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

Minister of the Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, Hele Pierre reaffirmed Cameroon’s commitment to the Montreal Protocol and outlined key activities undertaken by the Ministry and its partners during the year, which include:

--The phase-out of 5% of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC-22) bringing the cumulative to 80% HCFCs reduction.

--Training refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians on ozone-friendly practices.

--Strengthening the capacity of customs officers and environmental inspectors to control equipment containing ozone-depleting substances.

--Updating the licensing and quota system to support the gradual elimination of ozone-depleting substances.

--Conducting a national inventory of refrigeration equipment in healthcare facilities, including blood banks and vaccine storage facilities.

--Rehabilitating refrigeration and air-conditioning workshops at Douala and Limbe Advanced Vocational Training Centres.

Through its support for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization continues to work with Cameroon and national partners to advance sustainable cooling, strengthen technical capacities, and contribute to the protection of the ozone layer.



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Did you know that the Antarctic ozone hole in 2025 was one of the smallest in decades? 🌎

The latest WMO Ozone and UV Bulletin shows that last year’s ozone hole ranked as the 4th–5th smallest since severe ozone depletion patterns were first observed in 1992.

That’s good news for the ozone layer that protects life on Earth from the sun’s dangerous ultraviolet (UV) radiation. While it continues to recover, changes in the UV exposure remain an important concern.

In the recent decades, high UV exposure has become more frequent. In some parts of Europe, it has increased by as much as 20% since the mid-1990s. Ground-based measurements show that reduced cloud cover and longer sunshine hours are the main drivers of this increase.

Higher UV exposure means a greater risk of skin cancer and other related diseases.

“In light of this trend, targeted and effective UV protection measures are of paramount importance,” says the bulletin.

The WMO Global Atmosphere Watch network provides the essential ground-based ozone observations required to help monitor the ozone layer and understand long-term changes, supporting efforts to protect people and the planet.

🔗 Read the full issue to learn more: https://bit.ly/WMOOzoneUVBulletin2026pr

Libya highlights its return to Montreal Protocol compliance as ‘a new phase of national action’.

The ozone day commemoration event was held at Libya’s Ministry of Environment headquarters in Janzour, Tripoli on the theme "Global Action for a Cooler Planet – Celebrating 10 Years of Sustainable Cooling under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol." The event was attended by the Minister of Environment, the Undersecretary of the Ministry, directors of departments and other officials.

The Minister reaffirmed Libya's commitment to environmental protection and to fulfilling its international obligations under the Montreal Protocol. He highlighted the measures undertaken to strengthen the national framework, including implementing the import and export licensing and quota systems, enhancing control over regulated substances and equipment, strengthen coordination with the Customs and other entities, among others.

The Minister noted that Libya's return to compliance with the Montreal Protocol marks the beginning of a new phase of national action, stressing that maintaining compliance will require the continued development of legislation and regulatory oversight, improvements to data and information systems, expansion of training and capacity-building programmes, and stronger partnerships with the private sector.

The Coordinator of the National Ozone Unit presented an overview of Libya's efforts, highlighting the progress in the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances, the development of national capacities, and the strengthening of controls over substances and equipment regulated under the Protocol.

As an implementing agency of the Montreal Protocol, UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization supports Libya's efforts to protect the ozone layer and to promote sustainable industrialization.

Pics: National Ozone Unit/Min of Environment, Libya


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📢 Announcing: Sustainable Cooling Workshop in Naples, Italy | 8–9 Oct 2026

Accelerating the transition toward climate-friendly refrigeration and air-conditioning systems

The workshop, “HVACR Technologies and Policies for Climate Mitigation: Innovations, Sustainability, and Key Applications”, is organized by UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization and supported by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica) and The Foreign Economic Cooperation Office (FECO) of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China.

The University of Naples Federico II (Unina Federico II) will host this two-half-day event, bringing together academia, industry, and policymakers to address the most pressing challenges across room air conditioning, commercial refrigeration, and data center cooling.

Key topics will include:

Enablers and barriers to the transition toward natural refrigerants;

Sustainable design and resilient operation;

Standards, regulations, and technical challenges;

Current and future trends in research and market deployment.

👉 Full agenda and registration: https://forms.gle/Uinu8e6fwYNViCxG8

We look forward to seeing you in Naples!



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World Ozone Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina highlights new technologies and skilled personnel.

A conference on "From Certification to New Technologies – the Future of the Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Heat Pumps (RACHP) Sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina" marked the commemoration of the Ozone Day event held in Sarajevo. It was organized by the national Ozone Unit (Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations), the Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH – Group for Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Heat Pumps (VTK/STK BiH) and UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

This year marks a decade since the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which set in motion the global phase-down of HFCs--refrigerants with high global-warming potential. Bosnia and Herzegovina ratified the Kigali Amendment in 2021 and is now delivering on its commitments through its Kigali Implementation Plan (KIP), which UNIDO Environment supports as the implementing agency for Multilateral Fund–financed projects in the country.

The conference brought together competent institutions, training centres, universities, manufacturers, and design and servicing companies around two priorities:

🔹 Certification of technicians working with HFC refrigerants and its link to a future licensing system.

🔹 New, climate-friendly technologies already reshaping the market, including natural refrigerants such as R290 (propane) in the new generation of heat pumps, showcased by domestic manufacturer Inova (Jajce), alongside contributions from Airvent, Vaillant Group, and Grijanje, Voda, Klima, Banja Luka invest on energy efficiency, safe installation, and improved system design.

It is encouraging that more energy-efficient and environmentally sound technologies, including those using natural refrigerants are increasingly taking root in the country. "Alongside developing new technologies, it is equally important to invest in the knowledge and competencies of technicians, so the use of new technologies is safe, efficient and responsible." said Azra Rogovic Grubic, Manager of the Ozone Unit.

UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization remains committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path toward a cooler, cleaner and more sustainable future.



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Ozone day commemoration in Jordan

🇯🇴 Jordan marked World Ozone Day 2026 and the 10th Anniversary of the Kigali Amendment under the theme “Global action for a cooler planet.” This event brought together government institutions, industry, international partners and other stakeholders to highlight national progress in protecting the ozone layer and advancing sustainable cooling.

Organized by Jordan’s Ministry of Environment, with the support of UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization and United Nations Development Programme - UNDP, the celebration highlighted ongoing efforts under the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment. These include phasing down ozone-depleting substances and climate-warming refrigerants, promoting cleaner technologies and strengthening the capacity of the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector in the country.

As part of the activities, representatives from UNIDO Environment and the Ministry of Environment also visited three Jordanian Refrigeration and Air conditioning appliance manufacturing enterprises, working with UNIDO Environment for transition towards sustainable and climate-friendly technologies. Jordan hosts vibrant manufacturing sector with numerous enterprises producing domestic and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration equipment for the local market as well as for export in the region.

As an implementing agency of the Montreal Protocol, UNIDO continues to support the Government of Jordan in translating its environmental commitments into practical action and offer development opportunities to enterprises for a sustainable and competitive industrialization.

Read more: https://jordantimes.com/news/business/jordans-shift-to-sustainable-cooling-requires-industry-consumer-action



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