By Stanley Iwuoha
The Nigerian government has launched Abating Greenhouse Gas Emission from Obsolete Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (AGORA) Equipment project to reduce the impact of the emission of greenhouse gases on climate change.
The AGORA launch took place at a workshop organized by the Federal Ministry of Environment through the National Ozone Office, in collaboration with the Energy Commission of Nigeria, United Nations Environment Programme and the United for Efficiency (UNEP-U4E), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), themed “Abating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Obsolete Refrigeration and Airconditioning Equipment in Ghana and Nigeria (AGORA)”.
Speaking at the inception workshop in Abuja, the National Ozone Officer, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Idris Abdullahi, stated that the AGORA Project aims to create a sustainable future by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from obsolete refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.
According to him, the project is also an avenue to promote energy-efficient and low global warming potential (GWP) technologies by strengthening policies that facilitate the transition to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
Mr. Abdullahi, who disclosed that the project is at its initiative stage and will last up to three years said “The AGORA project that we are launching today presents another opportunity for us to further advance our efforts towards the promotion of Energy Efficient and Low GWP technologies in the RAC sector by Establishing and strengthening policies, regulations and partnerships to ensure the success of the transition to Energy Efficient and Low GWP RAC equipment thereby leading to the reduction of GHG emissions at thef equipment’s end of life and transforming the RAC market through ambitious replacement programmes for old and in-efficient equipment using high GWP refrigerants, initiating market transformation in the air-conditioning sector in Africa and also supporting South-South cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana, since the project will be implemented in both countries”.
Abdullahi recalled that Nigeria is a party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer and has ratified all its Amendments, the recent being the Kigali Amendment on phase-down of Hydrofluorocarbons, which are greenhouse gases used mainly as cooling agents in the refrigeration and airconditioning sector.
He said, “Over the past three decades, Nigeria has been implementing the Protocol’s Ozone Depleting Substances Phase out Programme in the relevant sectors, such as Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Foam, among others”.
Also, the representative of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Shehu Mustafa, while highlighting the objective of the AGORA project said it focuses on accelerating the transition to energy-efficient and climate-friendly refrigerators and air conditioners RAC in Nigeria and Ghana.
He emphasised that the Commission is aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and promoting climate-friendly cooling solutions, thereby contributing significantly to Nigeria’s climate goals and sustainable energy access.
“The project will help to shape the future of air conditioning and future of air conditioning and refrigerating standards in Nigeria, driving advancements in energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable economic growth,” he said.
Also speaking, the UNDP Regional Technical Advisor for Africa, Mr. Joel Darkwah, said that the AGORA Project will support sustainable cooling solutions as well as ensure a more circular economy in Nigeria.
“It is with great pleasure that UNDP is co-hosting the opening of the AGORA project today in Abuja to kickstart the implementation of this innovative project. Nigeria has been one of the leading actors on the Montreal Protocol globally and in Africa and has been recognized as such for decades. It has been one of the most proactive Parties and also a leading member of the Africa group within the institutions”.
“This leadership is essential as Nigeria has significant needs in terms of sustainable cooling in view of its diverse economy and population. This can only grow over time, as the needs in residential cooling, but also for cold chain, for example, keep growing. The challenge therefore is how to make this growth sustainable, by selecting the most efficient and environmentally friendly cooling solutions”.
“The country has been implementing the Montreal Protocol for years, hand in hand with international agencies such as UNDP, UNIDO, UNEP or the Italian Government – building technical capacity, strengthening its enforcement mechanisms, and bringing new and high-performing technologies to the country”.
“In this process, Nigeria has been fully engaged in its national plans to phase out the least sustainable classes of refrigerants, such as HCFCs or HFCs –for which Nigeria has just developed is Kigali Implementation Plan and is presenting it for funding to the Multilateral Fund for the Montreal Protocol. It was one of the first countries, supported by UNDP, to develop and adopt a National Cooling Plan”.
“Nigeria, under the leadership of its National Ozone Office, geared by Engineer Idris Abdulahi, and its Energy Commission, has wished to go further and be again one of the precursors on the continent”.
He assured that the equipment replaced is handled properly through proper sound disposal.
Darkwah charged the media to increase public awareness on this process for the uptake of sustainable cooling options at the household level.
In his remarks, the UNEP-U4E, project Manager, Mr. Mzwandile Thwala, also explained that AGORA Project is advancing efforts to integrate energy-efficient and sustainable cooling solutions into Nigeria’s climate goals.
He further described the project as a tool in addressing climate challenges as well as driving economic growth and enhancing the well-being of communities in promoting the use of low-GWP refrigerants and energy-efficient ACs in residential and commercial sectors to reduce energy demand and emissions.
Thwala outlined UNEP-U4E’s Integrated Policy Approach to advocate for an integrated policy approach saying it facilitates the transition to a sustainable cooling solution. He further added that the AGORA project provides a platform to accelerate the replacement of obsolete RAC equipment with energy-efficient and climate-friendly alternatives.
The AGORA project is a Nigerian government project that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing old and current refrigeration and air conditioning equipment with more energy-efficient and climate-friendly options. The project also aims to properly dispose of the replaced equipment.
