UNDP hands over equipment to Hydromet for HCFC Phase-out Management Plan
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Monday officially handed over specialized equipment to the Hydrometeorological Service of the Ministry of Agriculture as part of the HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) Stage II project.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), once widely used in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, have significantly contributed to ozone depletion and climate change, and phase-out of these substances is a key part of Guyana’s commitment under the Montreal Protocol.
This initiative marks a major milestone in the country’s transition towards sustainable and climate-friendly cooling technologies.
With funding from the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, UNDP and the Government of Guyana have collaborated to provide state-of-the-art equipment designed to enhance national technical capacity and promote environmental sustainability.
Left to right: Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and UNDP Guyana Resident Rep Berdi Berdiyev
The equipment handed over – including refrigerant identifiers, recovery and recycling machines, leak detectors, flushing kits, and prototype refrigeration and air-conditioning training systems — is crucial in ensuring proper refrigerant management, reducing harmful emissions and equipping local technicians with the skills required to transition to environmentally-friendly alternatives.
The Hydrometeorological Service will distribute these tools to seven technical training institutions across the country, supporting capacity-building and compliance with international standards.
According to the UNDP press release, the initiative not only strengthens Guyana’s ability to meet its Montreal Protocol obligations, but also ensures that future generations of technicians are well-equipped to handle sustainable refrigeration and air-conditioning solutions in alignment with global best practices.
This investment reinforces Guyana’s commitment to the Montreal Protocol, which mandates the phased reduction of HCFC consumption, including a 35% reduction by 2020, a 97.5% phase-out by 2025, and complete elimination by 2030.
By integrating new, energy-efficient technologies, Guyana is not only protecting the ozone layer, but is also enhancing energy efficiency in its refrigeration and air-conditioning sector, reducing the environmental impact of refrigerants and preparing a skilled workforce to meet evolving industry demands.
This initiative also aligns with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) by fostering sustainable business practices, lowering electricity consumption, and contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Left to Right: Director of Council for Technical and Vocational Education Training (CTVET), Patrick Chinedu Onwuzirke; National Ozone Officer Akilah Noble; EEEI Programme Analyst – UNDP Guyana, Colin Mattis; Chief Hydromet Officer Dr. Garvin Cummings, UNDP Guyana Resident Rep Berdi Berdiyev; Ministry of Agriculture Hydrological Officer Zainool Rahaman; Programme Associate – UNDP Guyana, Nyasha Walcott
The Ministry of Agriculture recognizes that sustainable refrigeration and air-conditioning solutions are vital for national economic growth. The newly-introduced equipment would enhance monitoring and regulation of HCFCs, ensuring that Guyana meets its environmental targets while fostering a competitive, modernized cooling industry.
By strengthening technical training and expanding access to climate-friendly cooling technologies, Guyana is positioning itself as a regional leader in sustainable refrigeration and air-conditioning practices.
The handover of this equipment underscores the strong partnership between UNDP and the Government of Guyana in advancing climate action and sustainable development.
As Guyana continues to implement key environmental initiatives, such collaborations would be crucial in securing a cleaner, more resilient future for all, the release concluded.
Previously, an Earth.Org 2024 report had stated that a June 2024 study, led by the University of Bristol and published in Nature Climate Change, had marked pivotal advancements in the reduction of HCFCs, gases notorious for depleting the ozone layer and exacerbating global warming.
The international research indicated that the total ozone-depleting chlorine from all HCFCs reached its highest level in 2021. While the reduction in HCFC emissions between 2021 and 2023 was less than 1%, it nonetheless demonstrates a positive trend in decreasing emissions.
The study indicated that between 2021 and 2023, there was a decline in both the global direct radiative forcing and the equivalent effective chlorine (EECl) of HCFCs which measure the atmospheric chlorine content from ozone-depleting substances, indicating a decrease in their contribution to global warming.
One of the standout findings of the research is that this reduction in harmful emissions has been achieved five years earlier than predicted.
According to Earth.Org, the breakthrough highlights the effectiveness of international agreements like the Montreal Protocol, and its amendments in phasing out these substances.
