Project Overview

Stage I of the Kigali Hydroflourocarbons (HFC) Implementation Plan (KIP) is a strategic intervention to reduce Lebanon's HFC consumption by 40% from its baseline by 2032. Lebanon faces a critical challenge at the intersection of environmental degradation and economic fragility. The project aims to convert manufacturing processes, strengthen national policies, and upgrade technical capacities to enable a sustainable transition to climate-friendly cooling, avoiding over 1 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions.
 

Project Objective

• Ensure Lebanon’s timely and sustained compliance with Kigali Amendment control measures through an enforceable HFC phasedown strategy.
• Transform the manufacturing base by converting 48 enterprises to low-GWP alternatives.
• Upgrade training centers and certify 300 technicians in the safe handling of flammable and high-pressure refrigerants.
• Strengthen national HFC licensing, quota systems, and enforcement frameworks to prevent illegal trade.
• Prepare the Lebanese RAC market for the transition to low Globan Warming Potential (GWP) technologies through awareness, training, standards support, and supply-chain readiness..
   

Achievements & Key Figures

Supported the Government of Lebanon in operationalizing the Kigali Implementation Plan Stage I, laying the foundation for the country's transition to low-global warming potential refrigerants, sustainable cooling technologies, and long-term climate action.

• Completed comprehensive baseline and sectoral assessments covering hydrofluorocarbon consumption, refrigeration and air-conditioning servicing practices, and industrial applications to inform project implementation. 
• Initiated the policy and regulatory framework required for implementation, including the alignment of Lebanon's licensing and quota system for hydrofluorocarbons with the requirements of the Kigali Amendment. 
• Engaged key stakeholders from the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector, including importers, manufacturers, servicing technicians, vocational training institutions, and industry representatives, to support the transition to low-global warming potential and energy-efficient cooling technologies. 
• Strengthened coordination between the United Nations Development Programme, the Ministry of Environment, the Lebanese Customs Administration, and private sector stakeholders to support the implementation of the national hydrofluorocarbon phasedown strategy, strengthen regulatory enforcement, facilitate market readiness, and ensure compliance with national and international obligations. 
• Prepared  and initiated implementation activities to support the conversion of the eligible manufacturing enterprise from HFC to low-global warming potential  technology.
• Launched KIP Stage I with 19 enterprises (relevant for year 1); 7 contracts signed, others under coordination.
   

GESI Component (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion)

The project is designated with a GEN 2 gender marker and proactively addresses the significant gender gap in the male-dominated RAC sector:

• Development and implementation of a dedicated plan to mandate sex-disaggregated data collection.
• Setting specific targets for female participation in technical training and certification programs.
• Running awareness campaigns specifically designed to challenge cultural stereotypes regarding women in technical vocations.
• Utilizing an "umbrella project" approach to ensure that micro-enterprises, which are most at risk of business failure during the transition, receive tailored support.