Amman, 16 September 2026 — Jordan’s Ministry of Environment, together with United Nations agencies and national partners, marked World Ozone Day with a call to expand sustainable cooling solutions that protect the ozone layer, reduce climate impacts and improve energy efficiency.

Held under the theme “Global Action for a Cooler Planet,” the event brought together government, industry, development partners and representatives of the United Nations, including UNIDO, UNDP and UNEP. Discussions focused on Jordan’s progress and the partnerships, technologies and investment needed to advance sustainable cooling.

“Jordan sees its international commitments as an opportunity to modernize productive sectors, strengthen national skills, encourage innovation and technology transfer, and enhance the competitiveness of Jordanian industry,” said Dr Ayman Suleiman, Minister of Environment. “Through partnerships with the private sector, national institutions and international partners, we are advancing sustainable cooling solutions that protect the ozone layer, improve energy efficiency and support Jordan’s climate and development priorities.”

This year marks 10 years since the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The amendment addresses the climate impact of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which do not deplete the ozone layer but can be powerful greenhouse gases. Their phasedown provides an opportunity to combine the transition to climate-friendly refrigerants with improvements in the energy efficiency of cooling systems.

“Jordan’s progress reflects close cooperation between the Government, the United Nations system, the private sector, technical institutions and development partners. No single institution could have delivered this alone,” said Sherri Ritsema-Anderson, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Jordan. “The success of ozone protection shows what multilateral cooperation can achieve. We must build on that success to accelerate climate action and make sustainable cooling accessible and affordable.”

During the panel discussion, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Majida Alassaf highlighted the importance of connecting policy, technology, skills and finance to help sustainable cooling solutions move from demonstration to wider adoption.

“Our objective is to build on the demonstrations and establish financing mechanisms that help businesses invest in the wider adoption of sustainable cooling,” said Alassaf. “Working with the Government of Jordan and national partners, we aim to bring together the financing, technical skills and partnerships needed to support that transition.”

Through the COOL UP project, funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), UNDP supported two demonstration projects completed in 2025. At the Aqaba Marine Reserve, a package air-handling unit and split air-conditioning units use the natural refrigerant propane (R290), reducing reliance on refrigerants with high global warming potential. At the new Amman Customs Centre in Madouneh, cold storage rooms use carbon dioxide (R744) refrigeration systems.

These projects provide practical examples of how natural refrigerants can meet different cooling needs. Alongside the demonstrations, UNDP worked with the Royal Scientific Society to develop Jordan’s National Cooling Strategy and accompanying Action Plan, providing a foundation for more energy-efficient and sustainable cooling.

Building on this work, Jordan was awarded US$8 million in 2026 for an Energy Efficiency Revolving Fund, financed by the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, with UNDP as the implementing agency.

The fund will support energy-efficiency investments in tourism and hospitality, supermarkets and retail refrigeration, and cold chains and food distribution. Its principal will be deployed through a revolving mechanism over an initial eight-year period, after which it will be returned to the Multilateral Fund. The initiative offers an opportunity to expand access to financing and help businesses invest in sustainable cooling technologies.

The focus on financing aligns with His Majesty King Abdullah II’s recent call for a comprehensive and unified national climate finance strategy developed in cooperation with the private sector. Sustainable cooling offers a practical opportunity to connect national climate priorities with technical support and investment.

Through its partnership with Jordan, UNDP combines policy support, technology demonstrations, capacity development and financing to create the conditions for wider adoption. These efforts support a cooling sector that can contribute to lower energy consumption and emissions, stronger businesses and Jordan’s broader green transition.
 

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