3 hours Ago By David Meshioye
The Nigerian government has introduced the Abating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Obsolete Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (AGORA) project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from outdated refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. The project’s primary objective is to promote the widespread adoption of energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling technologies, setting a new standard for the country. At a stakeholders’ workshop jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment, Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United for Efficiency (U4E), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the French Global Environment Facility (GEF), stakeholders highlighted the AGORA initiative as a crucial strategy for combating climate change.
Speaking at the inception workshop in Abuja yesterday, the National Ozone Officer, Engineer Idris Abdullahi, described the project as a very important step in addressing the issue of climate change. He said that the goal is to remove inefficient and highly energy-consuming refrigeration systems and replace them with energy-efficient, low global warming potential alternatives. His words: “The AGORA project that we are launching today presents another opportunity for us to further advance our efforts towards the promotion of Energy Efficient and Low GWP technologies in the RAC sector by establishing and strengthening policies, regulations, and partnerships to ensure the success of the transition to Energy Efficient and Low GWP RAC equipment, thereby leading to the reduction of GHG emissions at the equipment’s end of life and transforming the RAC market through ambitious replacement programmes for old and inefficient equipment using high GWP refrigerants, initiating market transformation in the air-conditioning sector in Africa, and also supporting South-South cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana, since the project will be implemented in both countries.
“This pilot project, funded by the French Global Environment Facility, will take at least three years and aims to make a significant impact in the fight against global warming.” In his intervention, Acting Director of the Energy Transition Unit at the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Shehu Mustapha, highlighted the crucial role of the AGORA Project in driving the adoption of energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling solutions in Nigeria and Ghana.
Dr Mustapha said the initiative is expected to make a significant impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development in both countries. He said that the initiative would not only improve energy efficiency but also contribute to climate goals. “This significant meeting is focused on accelerating the transition to energy-efficient and climate-friendly refrigerators and air conditioners (RAC) in Nigeria and Ghana.
Also, the objective is to engage key stakeholders on the expected outputs for the project, and to facilitate common understanding on the expected roles and responsibilities of stakeholder groups for implementation of the project,” he stated. Also, the UNEP Project Manager, Mzwandile Thwala, explained that the project will bring in new ways to fund the replacement of old cooling equipment, improve how old machines are handled after use, and support recycling efforts to promote a circular economy, even as he reaffirmed UNEP’s support for the initiative. “I would like to reaffirm our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and climate-friendly technologies, particularly in the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sector,” he said.
Similarly, Joel Ayim Darkwah of UNDP highlighted the importance of international partnerships in driving the project’s success. He pointed out that Nigeria and Ghana are working together under the ECOWAS framework to share best practices and implement sustainable cooling solutions. “This partnership aims to stimulate the consumer market for energy-efficient equipment and ensure proper disposal of replaced appliances,” he pointed out.
President of the Nigerian Association of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Practitioners (NARAP), Ahmed Ibrahim, lauded the project, saying the transition to new refrigerants would improve energy efficiency and reduce costs for end-users. “It will help us to grow our economy and at the same time for the end users to save some money in terms of the energy they purchase,” he said..
