EPA Advocates For Shift to Climate-Friendly Cooling
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has called on Ghanaians to transition to climate-friendly cooling solutions as the world marks World Ozone Day 2026.
The call was contained in a joint press release issued by the EPA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to commemorate the day under the theme: “Global Action for a Cooler Planet: Celebrating 10 Years of Sustainable Cooling under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol”.
According to the release, this year marks a decade since the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
The amendment targets the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases used in cooling.
The EPA said Ghana, which ratified the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol in 1989 and has since ratified all its amendments, including the Kigali Amendment, has made significant progress in protecting the ozone layer.
Among its key successes, the country completely eliminated Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) by 2010, well ahead of many peer countries, and is currently implementing Stage II of its HCFC Phase-out Management Plan to reduce consumption of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
The Authority said it has also secured the passage of two key regulations, L.I. 2503 (2025) on certification of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) technicians, and L.I. 2505 (2025) on the management of Ozone Depleting Substances and HFCs, to support the Kigali Amendment.
Other measures include the adoption of the National Cooling Plan and RAC Roadmap (2022), roll-out of a voluntary green label scheme to help consumers identify air conditioners using natural, low Global Warming Potential refrigerants such as propane (R290) and isobutane (R600a), and the establishment of Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Centres of Excellence.
The EPA said its partnership with UNDP is now actively promoting a shift from high-GWP HFCs toward natural refrigerants such as hydrocarbons, ammonia and carbon dioxide (CO2), alongside energy-efficient equipment design.
To accelerate the transition, the EPA urged households, businesses, technicians and institutions to choose ozone- and climate-friendly appliances with good energy ratings, engage only trained and certified RAC technicians, maintain and service cooling equipment regularly, dispose of old refrigerators and air conditioners through approved recovery schemes, avoid unregistered importers of refrigerants and second-hand cooling appliances, and report illegal trade in banned refrigerants to the EPA.
The Authority said Ghanaians stand to benefit directly through protection from harmful ultraviolet radiation, lower household energy costs, new skills and green jobs, and a more resilient economy.
The EPA and UNDP reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to full compliance with the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment and thanked development partners, including UNEP and GIZ, RAC technicians, especially female technicians, industry and the public for their support.
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