With the presence of the Head of the Climate Change Division of the Ministry of the Environment, Andrés Pica, the Twinning Workshop for Ozone and Energy Efficiency Officers of Latin America and the Caribbean was inaugurated, held in Santiago, Chile, on August 1, 2024.
The workshop, which included the participation of 15 countries, was organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with the support of the Ozone Unit of the Ministry of the Environment of Chile. Its objective is to strengthen the capacity of national officials in implementing policies that integrate ozone layer protection with energy efficiency in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.
During the inaugural session, the workshop agenda was presented, which included technical discussions, case studies, and interactive exercises designed to foster collaboration among National Ozone Officers, energy efficiency officials, and Financial Mechanism Focal Points. These efforts aim to align policies and develop joint strategies to reduce the use of substances that harm the ozone layer, such as HFCs, while improving the energy efficiency of equipment.
From the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), technical consultant Anabella Ruiz participated, highlighting: “For us, it is important to learn more about the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, the advances in ozone layer protection being carried out by the countries present at the Twinning Workshop, and to explore possibilities for joint coordination between the Protocol topics and energy efficiency.”
The workshop covered a wide variety of topics, including policy alignment, technical discussions, case studies, financial mechanisms, communication strategies, and capacity-building requirements.
Department of Communication and Institutional Relations – María Josefa Corral
