With a growing population, increasing wealth, urbanisation and rising temperatures, the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sector is a significant contributor to Ghana's current and future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This concerns both direct emissions from the leakage of high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, mainly hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and indirect emissions due to the electricity consumption of the equipment. In particular, the split air conditioner (AC) sub-sector accounts for a large share of energy and F-gas related GHG emissions, amounting to about 8% of national GHG emissions. The potential of the low GWP refrigerants is significant as already the initial charge at purchase of propane compared to HFCs has a GWP which is 2,000 times lower.

The mitigation activity aims to shift Ghana's AC sector towards low carbon cooling by paving the way for ACs with high energy efficiency and the use of low GHG emitting refrigerants. The introduction of Green Split ACs is supported by various financial and technical measures aimed at strengthening the potential of alternative and sustainable technologies. The measures are divided into three components:

Component 1 introduces financial incentives (rebates) that remove economic barriers such as the higher up-front cost of highly energy-efficient and climate-friendly split ACs and enable the market introduction of up to 150,000 Green ACs (tbc). The rebate mechanism will be supported by capacity-building measures that create the necessary skills of RAC technicians and raise awareness of these technologies. The expansion of the training programme for air conditioning technicians at the national level.

Component 2 offers additional mitigation potential. The proper training of the technicians will not only ensure the safe installation of the latest-generation ACs running with propane, it will also reduce the leakage rates during maintenance services which currently lead to very high emissions from the sector.

Component 3 targets the disposal of end-of-life equipment and provides for the introduction of the necessary infrastructure and capacity building to ensure proper and climate-friendly disposal of the replaced air-conditioning equipment.

GIZ will be the main implementer of the mitigation activity and will introduce the green ACs into the country through a bulk procurement. The importers will receive the rebate which allows them to retail the ACs at competitive prices. GIZ will also identify the suitable entity which will manage the rebate fund. In addition, GIZ will set up a training programme which will train the RAC technicians over the course of 1-2 weeks in the proper installation of the green ACs as well as the maintenance of existing ACs in order to reduce leakage rates from this legacy equipment. Finally, the activity will be complemented with an end-of-life treatment facility which destroys the refrigerants contained in the replaced ACs. The activity aims at transforming Ghana’s AC sector towards low-carbon cooling by means of paving the way for AC appliances with high energy efficiency and the use of low-GWP refrigerants. Through the upscaling of RAC technician trainings and certification, servicing practices are improved and consequently leakage of refrigerants during operation can be significantly reduced. Activities foreseen in the RAC sector (direct and indirect emission reductions) are covered by the conditional target of the Republic of Ghana, not part of the unconditional National Determined Contribution. Projections of the mitigation potential show that Green ACs units are expected to generate emission reductions of up to 10 tCO₂e (per 3.5 kW unit), respectively 16 tCO₂e (per 5.3 kW unit) (tbc) over their lifetime, compared to conventional BAU units.

The activity contributes to environmental, economic, and social sustainable development and incorporates gender equality in its goals and activities.

• SDG 4: Quality education: Qualification and certification will enhance knowledge and skills of technicians. The formalisation of the technicians allows the access to social security and stable and higher income. It therefore provides long-term stability of employment. 

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: A reduced need for additional electricity generation due to more efficient units will ultimately reduce the need for more power stations.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The activity is expected to create work opportunities in the RAC sector through the development of capacities of AC technicians as well as the formalisation of jobs through training of 1000 and certification of 2000 cooling technicians and the creation of demand for such technicians by AC installation and repair companies.

• SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure: The activity contributes to avoiding energy costs for households and businesses. Increased energy conservation will reduce pressure on national electricity supply and distribution.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Support for preparation of HFC refrigerant phase down. HFC-alternative refrigerants such as HC-290 have zero ODP and negligible GWPs; they are part of natural biogeochemical cycles and do not form persistent substances in the atmosphere, water or biosphere. No depletion of fluorspar (needed only for fluorinated substances) is involved.

• SDG 13: Climate Action: Contribution to Ghana’s NDC targets to reduce GHG emissions, both direct (refrigerant use) and indirect (energy consumption). Ghana’s NDC targets specifically include reductions in the RAC sector.

• SDG 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development: The activity promotes the transfer of and transition to climate-friendly and energy efficient AC in residential, commercial, and public buildings in Ghana.