ABRAVA, the Brazilian Association for Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Heating, participated in the seminar “Projects for the HVAC-R Sector: Promoting Actions for the Benefit of the Ozone Layer and the Climate,” held by Brazil’s Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on June 25 and 27 in São Paulo.
The seminar aimed to present initiatives under the “Technical Assistance Program for the Commercial and Industrial Air Conditioning Sector/Technical Application,” explore the feasibility of thermal district systems in Brazil, and introduce a pilot project for data center cooling using technologies with zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and low or zero Global Warming Potential (GWP).
On June 25, the program featured a multidisciplinary discussion, including a presentation of Demonstration Projects for the Air Conditioning Sector under Stage III of the HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (PBH). These projects include financial and technical support for replacing chillers using HCFC-22 or HCFC-123 with modern, energy-efficient systems featuring zero ODP and low-to-medium GWP, and proper disposal of legacy refrigerants. The initiative aims to avoid transitional use of high-GWP HFCs and supports early implementation of the Kigali Amendment in Brazil.
Filipe Colaço, president of ABRAVA’s National Department of Environment, delivered a keynote on “Air Conditioning Sector: Current Situation, Trends and Challenges” and joined a roundtable discussion on key points from the opening day.
The second day focused on data centers, highlighting Brazil’s position as the 13th largest market globally, with over 160 data centers in operation. Topics included geographic distribution, sustainability metrics, energy and water management, e-waste disposal, and climate-friendly air conditioning technologies.
Giancarlo Delatorre, ABRAVA’s Technology Director, opened the second day with a presentation on “ABRAVA’s Perspective on the Data Center Sector: Availability of Air Conditioning Equipment and Refrigerants.” His session included a roundtable discussion that engaged the audience and emphasized the role of HVAC-R solutions in the sustainable expansion of Brazil’s data center infrastructure.
The event gathered ABRAVA’s board members, industry representatives, professionals from related sectors, and officials from institutions including the Ministry of Mines and Energy. The full seminar recording will be available soon on the YouTube channel of Brazil’s Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change.