Between the 13th and the 24th of February 2023, numerous stakeholder consultations were held on the island of spice, namely Grenada as part of the second phase of the Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change (C4 II) project.
During a two-week meeting series in Grenada, colleagues from GIZ Proklima held several appointments with stakeholders to the RAC sector and Cold Chains, focusing on Green Cooling in Grenada.
The meetings focused on
- Enhancing current refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) training programs and qualification standards through the integration of natural refrigerants such as hydrocarbons, ammonia and CO2
- Increasing the market uptake of natural refrigerants and Green Cooling technologies through cooperation with local importers and financing institutions
- Improving measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) processes in the RAC sector
- Revising national policy instruments like minimum energy performance standards, building codes, and criteria for public procurement
Grenada is a frontrunner in the use of natural refrigerants in the RAC sector, particularly in the use of R290 (propane) in split air conditioners. However, more awareness raising is needed to encourage end-users to choose Green Cooling appliances.
In addition to cooperating with the public sector, C4 II aims at mobilizing the private sector for climate action in the RAC sector. In Grenada, the hotel and tourism sector is a key sector for country’s economy. However, it also contributes significantly to the country’s energy use and is a large emitter greenhouse gas emissions. For hotels in tropical regions like Grenada, cooling often accounts for more than 50% of energy consumption. Through the switch to Green Cooling – highly energy-efficient cooling appliances using natural refrigerants – in combination with the use renewable energies, significant savings in energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved.
