Dushanbe, Tajikistan - Tajikistan is modernizing its refrigeration and air conditioning sector, gradually reducing climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and introducing energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly technologies. With support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), a US$49.4 million project to be led by the Government of Tajikistan will help provide cleaner, more sustainable cooling systems, avoiding more than two million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

The project is financed through a US$5.68 million grant from the GEF and complemented by US$ 43.7 million in co-financing from the Government of Tajikistan, World Bank, civil society organizations and private sector. Launching in January 2026, it will strengthen HFC import controls, improve refrigerant management, demonstrate low-global warming potential (low-GWP) technologies, and offer incentives for adoption. More than 5,600 people will benefit directly, with nearly 1.9 million reached nationwide.

“Rising temperatures are already changing daily life in Tajikistan. Families, schools, hospitals, and businesses depend on cooling to stay safe, yet much of the equipment in use is outdated and powered by HFCs, among the most damaging gases for our climate. Without action, the country’s use of these gases could more than double by 2030. That is why it is so important to modernize the sector with cleaner, more efficient solutions that cut harmful emissions and make cooling more affordable and reliable for everyone,” said Sudipto Mukerjee, UNDP Resident Representative in Tajikistan.

Xiaofang Zhou, Director of UNDP Chemicals and Waste Hub, added: “HFCs have been widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning products, building and cold chain infrastructures. But HFCs have high global warming potential and are now among the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Through our partnership with the GEF, UNDP is helping countries like Tajikistan phase down HFCs, adopt low-GWP alternatives, and strengthen the technical and regulatory capacity to sustain this transition.”

Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, GEF Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson, said: “Modern, environment-friendly cooling improves quality of life for thousands, providing safer, more sustainable cooling while protecting the planet for future generations. This project will enable Tajikistan to test and adopt innovative, low-emission cooling solutions suited to local needs and create models that can be replicated across the region.”

Muhibullo Junaidzoda, Director of the Center for Implementation of Investment Projects within the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan, said: “This project in Tajikistan highlights the importance of reducing HFC emissions, which directly contribute to slowing global warming. Implementing modern, climate-friendly cooling technologies not only enhances the quality of life by providing safer and more affordable cooling options but also plays a vital role in protecting the environment for future generations. By testing and adopting innovative, low-emission cooling solutions tailored to Tajikistan’s specific needs, the project aims to develop effective models that can be replicated across the region, promoting sustainable and climate-resilient development.”

Demand for cooling in Tajikistan has risen rapidly due to hotter summers, population growth, and the need for reliable food and medicine storage. Heavy reliance on imported equipment and refrigerants has pushed HFC consumption above agreed baselines. Without intervention, outdated systems risk locking households and essential services into inefficient, high-emission cooling.

The project will replace high-HFC equipment with efficient, low-GWP alternatives, reducing energy use by 3.3 billion megajoules – equivalent to powering over 300,000 Tajik households for a year. By 2028, the project aims to phase out 903 tonnes of HFCs, equal to removing over 130,000 cars from the roads for a year.

Local businesses will receive support to retrofit equipment, develop new product lines, and recycle or safely dispose of old refrigerants. Remote monitoring will be piloted in large facilities to detect leaks and track energy efficiency.

To ensure sustainability, 250 customs officers and 50 environmental inspectors will be trained in HFC monitoring and enforcement, supported by new testing tools. Technician certification will be expanded, with refresher courses for 240 refrigeration and air conditioning specialists and new opportunities for women in technical fields.

Vocational training centres will be upgraded with modern equipment, adding 40 training slots annually, while a national online inventory of 75,600 cooling installations will strengthen data collection and reporting.


For more information, please contact:

Nigora Fazliddin
Communications Analyst 
United Nations Development Programme
nigorai.fazliddin@undp.org 

Alexandre Pinheiro Rego
Senior External Affairs Officer
Global Environment Facility
arego@thegef.org


About UNDP 

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries and territories, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. 
 

About the Global Environment Facility 
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) includes several multilateral funds working together to address the planet's most pressing challenges in an integrated way. Its financing helps developing countries address complex challenges and work towards meeting international environmental goals. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $26 billion in financing, primarily as grants, and mobilized another $153 billion for country-driven priority projects.