CLIMATE ACTION AND REFRIGERANT TRANSITION | COMMENTARY | CCME ON AIRE

According to the European State of the Climate 2025 report, Europe is experiencing rapid and widespread warming. At least 95% of the continent recorded above-average temperatures in 2025. A three-week heatwave affected sub-Arctic regions, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius near and within the Arctic Circle.

Climate change acts as a global, non-linear system, where local actions have interconnected, far-reaching consequences. In climate science, this means emissions in one region – for example, in the Middle East – contribute to global atmospheric warming.

This is why climate action cannot be local. It must be system-wide. And within this system, one of the most important industry-level responses is the refrigerant transition.

For years, this transition has been looming over the Middle East region. And now, the implications are becoming clear. Countries including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Syria and the UAE have ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. This is a legally binding agreement, which means the phase-down of fluorinated refrigerants is inevitable.

Globally, all major manufacturing hubs have already taken steps to reduce HFC use. At the same time, regulations are tightening, which will reduce the availability of high-GWP refrigerants, including HFCs. And it will accelerate the transition towards A2L refrigerants and Natural Refrigerants.

Now, technically, this transition is feasible. It is already being implemented in many countries, including those facing high-ambient conditions. But there is a bottleneck. The technology is ready, but the workforce is not. This is because A2L and A3 refrigerants introduce higher risks, which means education, training and qualification become critical. And yet, this capability remains limited across the Middle East region.

The timeline for transition is gradual. The first major step is scheduled for 2032, with a 10% reduction in HFC supply. This provides time, but also risk, because waiting until 2032 to prepare will put businesses under pressure, not to mention the opportunity lost to mitigate climate change at the earliest possible, even if deadlines allow for some more time for climate action.