Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Havana, July 7 – Cuba continued the national update of the inventory of existing refrigerants in the country, which includes substances contained in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, and those stored during maintenance and repair processes.
The main objective of the initiative is to identify the potential of refrigerants in use, with a view to eliminating Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) by 2030 and progressively reducing Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 2045, the Technical Ozone Office (OTOZ, for its acronym in Spanish) told the Cuban News Agency.
It added that the information gathered will make it possible to prepare a technical report and design a national strategy for the elimination of such compounds.
Beginning in late 2024 and continuing into 2025, specialists from the OTOZ and the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI, for its acronym in Spanish) toured the nation to update their database on the subject.
The process was supported by the United Nations Development Programme, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, the Office of Regulation and Environmental Safety, and the Nuclear Energy and Advanced Technologies Agency.
Such an approach is considered crucial to preventing the emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere and promoting more sustainable alternatives in terms of leak prevention, responsible use of refrigerants, technical training, and the transition to greener technologies.
Cuba conducted similar inventories in 2010, 2017, and 2019, which has improved the accuracy of data on the substances used in the sector.
In addition, it held exchanges of experiences with other countries through virtual seminars, workshops, and exhibitions, with a view to strengthening international cooperation and compliance with global environmental commitments. (Text and photo: ACN)
