The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme’s United for Efficiency (U4E), has held a training workshop on sustainable cold-chain and cooling technologies. The event, organized under the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Project, aimed to build national capacity for deploying energy-efficient and climate-friendly refrigeration systems.
The workshop brought together 40 participants from government bodies, academia, and the private sector, including cold-chain operators, equipment suppliers, and entrepreneurs. The training focused on technical knowledge to support Rwanda’s transition to sustainable cooling, in line with plans to implement Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling for refrigerators and air conditioners.
Discussions also addressed complementary strategies such as public awareness campaigns and investment promotion, with goals to reduce emissions, lower energy costs, and improve food preservation, public health, and economic resilience.
Dr Edward Hammond from UNEP introduced refrigeration technologies and the importance of safe refrigerants, while Jean Paul Ntaganda from REMA presented the role of cooling in agriculture, health, and business. Dr Hammond also outlined Rwanda’s cold-chain vision through the SPOKE programme, which combines infrastructure with training and business models.
Participants contributed during plenary sessions, highlighting solutions to ensure Rwanda’s cold-chain is sustainable, cost-effective, and adapted to local needs.
“Cooling is vital, but it must also be efficient and climate-friendly. This workshop is paving the way for a future where Rwanda can benefit from cooling without compromising our environment,” said Beatha Akimpaye, Division Manager of Environmental Compliance and Enforcement at REMA.
