By Buertey Francis BORYOR
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has launched ‘Abating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Obsolete RAC Equipment in Ghana and Nigeria’ (AGORA) project in Accra.
The AGORA initiative aims at accelerating the transition to energy-efficient and climate-friendly refrigerators and air conditioners (RAC) in Nigeria and Ghana. It involves partners such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Energy Commission (EC).
It is being funded by the French government under the French fund for global environment and the Multilateral Fund for implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
The project’s launch brought together public and private sector partners, civil society organisations and local communities to brainstorm its execution.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedou – Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Ghana – stated that the project demonstrates the power of collaboration, collective effort and shared commitment to advancing sustainable development and climate resilience.
He added that Ghana, like the rest of the world, is struggling with environmental insecurity, climate change issues and development challenges which require a collective effort to address.
“Ghana’s ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in 2019 highlights its dedication to tackling this global issue. I therefore acknowledge the government of Ghana for the tremendous strides in its climate change commitments – including the promotion of energy efficiency for sustainable environmental preservation,” he also said.
Furthermore, he said the UNDP partnership with the EPA and EC has enhanced capacity building, provided high- quality equipment for eco-friendly technologies and supported the development of regulatory frameworks for managing ozone-depletion.
“We are seeking to create a pathway for inclusive and sustainable development in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): particularly SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy; and SDG 13 – Climate Action. Reaching these goals necessitate collaboration across all sectors and levels, both vertically and horizontally,” Mr. Khoshmukhamedou added.
Mr. Joseph Baffoe, Head-Climate Change and Ozone Department, EPA, noted that the country has taken a keen interest in environmental concerns over the years, as environmental impacts frequently transcend national lines.
“Ghana, being a signatory to the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment, implemented programmes to reduce high-potential global warming gases and mitigate climate change. Additionally, the country – under its nationally determined contributions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – was among the first nations to include their rice sector in greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.
“Also, Ghana has set a policy goal to ensure that 70 percent of cooling appliances imported into the country are green by 2030,” he elaborated.
The AGORA project will among other things enhance economic opportunities and business competitiveness, improve electric grid stability, protect the ozone layer and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
FIN
UNDP, EPA launch AGORA project to promote climate-friendly cooling in Ghana and Nigeria
By Buertey Francis BORYOR
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has launched ‘Abating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Obsolete RAC Equipment in Ghana and Nigeria’ (AGORA) project in Accra.
The AGORA initiative aims at accelerating the transition to energy-efficient and climate-friendly refrigerators and air conditioners (RAC) in Nigeria and Ghana. It involves partners such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Energy Commission (EC).
It is being funded by the French government under the French fund for global environment and the Multilateral Fund for implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
The project’s launch brought together public and private sector partners, civil society organisations and local communities to brainstorm its execution.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedou – Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Ghana – stated that the project demonstrates the power of collaboration, collective effort and shared commitment to advancing sustainable development and climate resilience.
He added that Ghana, like the rest of the world, is struggling with environmental insecurity, climate change issues and development challenges which require a collective effort to address.
“Ghana’s ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in 2019 highlights its dedication to tackling this global issue. I therefore acknowledge the government of Ghana for the tremendous strides in its climate change commitments – including the promotion of energy efficiency for sustainable environmental preservation,” he also said.
Furthermore, he said the UNDP partnership with the EPA and EC has enhanced capacity building, provided high- quality equipment for eco-friendly technologies and supported the development of regulatory frameworks for managing ozone-depletion.
“We are seeking to create a pathway for inclusive and sustainable development in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): particularly SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy; and SDG 13 – Climate Action. Reaching these goals necessitate collaboration across all sectors and levels, both vertically and horizontally,” Mr. Khoshmukhamedou added.
Mr. Joseph Baffoe, Head-Climate Change and Ozone Department, EPA, noted that the country has taken a keen interest in environmental concerns over the years, as environmental impacts frequently transcend national lines.
“Ghana, being a signatory to the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment, implemented programmes to reduce high-potential global warming gases and mitigate climate change. Additionally, the country – under its nationally determined contributions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – was among the first nations to include their rice sector in greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.
“Also, Ghana has set a policy goal to ensure that 70 percent of cooling appliances imported into the country are green by 2030,” he elaborated.
The AGORA project will among other things enhance economic opportunities and business competitiveness, improve electric grid stability, protect the ozone layer and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
