EACREEE advances Regional Adoption of Energy-Efficient Cooling Standards at MOP37

The East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (EACREEE), represented by Mr Collins Owuor, participated in two key events organised by the United Nations Environment Programme’s United for Efficiency (UNEP-U4E) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation. The events, held alongside the Thirty-Seventh Meeting of the Parties (MOP37) to the Montreal Protocol in Nairobi, Kenya, focused on accelerating the adoption and implementation of energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling appliances in the East African Community. Held under the main theme of the week, “Scaling Up Energy-Efficient Cooling Appliances in Africa,” with the workshop sub-theme “Pathways and Partnerships for National MEPS Adoption,” the session convened government representatives, technical experts from various partner states and development partners. The discussions aimed to strengthen national efforts to adopt regionally harmonised Minimum Energy Performance Standards for air conditioners and refrigerators in the EAC.

In his opening remarks, Mr Owuor highlighted the next steps following regional harmonisation, underscoring opportunities to advance regionally harmonised minimum energy performance standards for cooling across the East African Community, targeting room air conditioners and household refrigerators. He emphasised the importance of sustained support to ensure domestication and adoption of the MEPS across all eight Partner States. This regional approach is anticipated to usher in a new era which eliminates the proliferation of inefficient cooling products from markets, lowers energy costs and contributes towards climate protection. He reaffirmed EACREEE’s commitment to working with partner states to mobilise resources necessary for capacity development. These efforts will strengthen national compliance and surveillance capacities, enhance testing and verification infrastructure, promote regional collaboration and coordination through Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA), support systematic improvement of standards to address prevailing dynamics and raise public awareness.