November 2012: The International Partnership on Mitigation and Monitoring, Review and Validation (MRV) has released a baseline study on refrigeration, air-conditioning (RAC), and insulation foam production in Thailand, titled “Emission reduction potential and potential Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) sub-sectors in Thailand.”

According to the Partnership, appliances in the Thai RAC sector still contain ozone depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which have a high global warming potential (GWP). The Thai RAC sector currently contributes 20% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Thailand, with 3.4 Mt carbon dioxide equivalent. The report predicts this amount may increase to 50% of emissions by 2030 under a business as usual (BAU) scenario.

The report states that reforms in relevant sectors or sub-sectors can contribute to the global mitigation efforts. The report also highlights the development of road maps to enable decision-makers to choose the (sub-) sector of refrigeration, air-conditioning or insulation foam production in which a NAMA would result in the highest emission reductions. The report proposes technical options and alternative refrigerants within each sector.

This baseline study is the first comprehensive database for the RAC sector in Thailand and in a Non-Annex 1 country. The Governments of South Africa, the Republic of Korea and Germany launched the International Partnership on Mitigation and MRV in 2010. The Partnership aims to support a practical exchange on mitigation-related activities and MRV between developing and developed countries to help close the global ambition gap. [International Partnership on Mitigation and MRV Website] [Publication: Emission reduction potential and potential NAMAs sub-sectors in Thailand]