Raising awareness of safety practices and delivering training of a high standard remain crucial for the successful uptake of natural solutions in developing countries, according to deliberations at UNIDO ATMOsphere Technology Summit. Industry and NGO representatives as well as training experts with experience in Pakistan, India, the Gambia and the Republic of Macedonia, shared their experiences and discussed the lessons learned from success stories of introducing hydrocarbons for foam blowing agents and in domestic refrigeration.

From 3-4 June 2013, the UNIDO ATMOsphere Technology Summit brought together 150 representatives from developing and developed countries to explore the possibilities of leapfrogging high global warming substances in the HVAC&R and foam sectors. The event highlighted successful initiatives worldwide and much of the discussions were dedicated to the importance of knowledge sharing and training as necessary preconditions for the uptake of new technologies to replace HCFCs.

A culture of continued education and knowledge sharing in RAC sector is necessary

Mr Jürgen Usinger of GIZ/Proklima that has been involved in more than 30 national training programmes in developing countries since 1996 and is currently involved in 12 programmes noted that knowledge and safety is not a refrigerant specific issue, something that the industry has often ignored in the past. Providing technical alternatives and resolving financial issues is not enough when accelerating new technologies. To support the transformation, a combination of measures is required, including significant reform of policies, institutions, standards and regulations, in addition to training of skills and a culture of continued education and knowledge sharing, as well as building of capacities and the introduction of certification and quality assurance schemes.

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