Refrigerants at COP29: Cooling the Venue, Warming the Planet

As COP29 unfolds in Baku, Azerbaijan, hosting approximately 50,000 participants, the glaring contradiction between climate discussions and the venue’s reliance on high-impact refrigerants highlights a missed opportunity to lead by example in climate-friendly practices.

Findings on Refrigerants Used

The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has once again assessed the cooling systems at the COP venue. The results reveal the continued use of potent greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances in the venue's cooling systems:

• R410A: Predominantly used in temporary systems, this refrigerant has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 2,256, making it over 2,000 times more damaging than CO2. EIA estimates that 975 kg of R410A is onsite, equating to 2,199,149 kg of CO2 emissions if leaked.
• HCFC-22: Found in at least one unit, this ozone-depleting substance has a GWP of 1,960. Despite its limited presence, its environmental impact remains significant.
• HFC-32: Although less harmful (GWP 675), its emissions still result in an estimated 239,220 kg CO2 equivalent onsite.

Combined, these refrigerants’ potential emissions are equivalent to burning 1,220 tonnes of coal—a conservative estimate excluding areas inaccessible to the public.

A Missed Opportunity for Sustainable Cooling

Despite the spotlight on sustainable cooling at COP28 and the Global Cooling Pledge, COP29 demonstrates little progress. Azerbaijan, the host country, has not signed the Global Cooling Pledge nor ratified the Kigali Amendment to phase down HFCs under the Montreal Protocol. This lack of action starkly contrasts with the urgent climate commitments discussed at the conference.

EIA's Recommendations

1. Join Global Initiatives: Azerbaijan is urged to sign the Global Cooling Pledge and ratify the Kigali Amendment, aligning with the 163 countries that have already committed to reducing the climate impact of refrigerants.
2. Enhance Transparency: The UNFCCC Secretariat should mandate future COP hosts to implement sustainable cooling strategies, including:
   • Transparent procurement plans for climate-friendly cooling.
   • Reporting on emissions associated with the event.
3. Set Strict Eligibility Standards: Establish robust sustainability criteria for COP presidencies to ensure hosts align with global climate objectives.

Call for Action

The COP process, as the world’s leading climate forum, must set a benchmark for sustainable practices. By adopting climate-friendly cooling technologies and transparent reporting, future COPs can lead the way in reducing emissions while tackling one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Continuing to disregard this opportunity undermines the very purpose of the conference and delays critical climate action.