By Phiwa Sikhondze
“Eswatini has made remarkable progress in reducing the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and transitioning to refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP).” These were of the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Janne Mkhonta during the Sustainable Cooling Summit 2024 held at the Mavuso Trade Centre.
The Minister was representing the Prime Minister, Russell Dlamini who was the keynote speaker on the day.
The summit, themed “Temperature Matters – Cooling Without Warming the Planet,” attracted a diverse range of participants, including industry professionals, policymakers, and advocates, all committed to advancing sustainable cooling solutions.
Mkhonta opened the summit by emphasizing the crucial role of sustainable cooling in mitigating climate change and safeguarding the environment. She highlighted the adverse impacts of traditional cooling technologies, which contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions and ozone layer depletion.
The Minister noted that Eswatini successfully phased out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in 2007 and has already reduced hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) use by over 60%, in compliance with the Montreal Protocol, reflecting unwavering commitment to the Protocol’s targets.
A key highlight of the Prime Minister’s speech was the commendation of Palfridge, a leading refrigerator and freezer manufacturer based in Eswatini.
“Through successful public-private partnerships, Eswatini has, through Palfridge, totally phased out ODS and adopted hydrocarbon refrigerants in the manufacturing sector by 2016. These refrigerants have zero ozone depletion potential, very low GWP, and are highly energy-efficient,” Dlamini said.
The Prime Minister through Mkhonta praised Palfridge’s transition to environmentally friendly refrigerants, aligning with global environmental standards and setting a benchmark for other industries to follow.
“Their innovation and commitment to sustainability have positioned Palfridge as a leader in sustainable manufacturing practices in the region. This demonstrates that economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.”
She further reaffirmed Eswatini’s commitment to the targets of the Montreal Protocol, highlighting the nation’s consistent adherence to its obligations. She pointed out that these efforts are part of a broader strategy to integrate sustainability principles into the design, operation, and management of cooling systems across the country.
“Our journey towards sustainable cooling is intrinsically linked to our broader objectives of promoting energy efficiency and adopting clean energy sources,” Mkhonta added.
She outlined various initiatives already making a positive impact, such as household refrigerator replacement programs, investments in new heating and cooling systems, and the installation of thermal insulation foams.