The sessions brought together government partners, technical experts, and international organizations to share insights and practical solutions driving the transition to natural refrigerants and climate-friendly cooling systems.

The full Cool Up side event schedule is listed below:

Side Event 1: Why Refrigerant Choice Matters – The Impact of ‘Forever Chemicals’ on the Environment

10 July 2025 |  13:00–15:00 |  Asia-Pacific Foyer

This session explored the risks of PFAS-based refrigerants, drawing on Cool Up’s research and demonstration projects. Experts discussed the long-term environmental and health impacts of ‘forever chemicals’ and highlighted policy pathways that support the shift to natural refrigerants.

Speakers:

Eslam Mahdy (Cool Up – Guidehouse),

Barbara Gschrey (Cool Up – Öko-Recherche),

Sinisa Prodanovic (Cool Up – Öko-Recherche),

Martijn Hildebrandt (Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, Netherlands),

Jan Dusek (ATMOsphere)

The session covered the following topics: 
✅ Overview of PFAS and their environmental persistence, including their presence in synthetic refrigerants
✅ Presentation of the EU’s PFAS restriction proposal and its implications for refrigerant use
✅ Market trends showing increased global adoption of natural refrigerants like CO₂, ammonia, and hydrocarbons
✅ Reinforced the importance of continued dialogue on PFAS under the Montreal Protocol framework  

The session concluded with a lively discussion moderated by Sinisa Prodanovic (Öko-Recherche), where National Ozone Units (NOUs) from Article 5 and non-Article 5 countries exchanged insights on PFAS-related challenges, scientific developments, and the role of industry in shaping future action. 

This event broadened the global dialogue on PFAS and laid the groundwork for continued discussions under the Montreal Protocol framework. 

Side Event 2: Financial Feasibility and Innovative Incentives for a Cooler Future

10 July 2025 | 18:00–20:00 | MR-A

This session showcased Cool Up’s work in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Türkiye, including financial feasibility studies and green finance assessments. Speakers explored how tailored incentives and innovative financing can help scale climate-friendly cooling in developing markets.

Speakers:

Eslam Mahdy (Cool Up – Guidehouse),

Jakob Hoffmann (Cool Up – Guidehouse).

Paloma Somohano (UNDP EERF),

Miquel Pitarch Mocholi (United for Efficiency),

Manjeet Singh (Cool Coalition)

The session covered the following topics: 

✅ Cool Up’s Financial Feasibility Studies and Sustainable Finance Market Assessments in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Türkiye
✅ Investment barriers and economic benefits of switching to natural refrigerants
✅ Examples of practical financing and procurement models as well as tailored technical assistance and financial mechanisms
✅ Strategies to mobilize finance through public-private partnerships and align policies across sectors
✅ Tools and approaches to transform National Cooling Action Plans (NCAPs) into bankable projects 

The panel discussion explored key questions around financial barriers, technology selection, partnerships, and policy innovation—highlighting what’s needed to scale energy-efficient and sustainable cooling and how decision-making tools can guide investment. 

Side Event 3: Implementing and enforcing national f-gas rules: Turning commitments into action

11 July 2025 | 18:00–20:00 | Room MR-A

Focusing on practical tools for policy enforcement, this session presented national examples that demonstrate how training, product bans, fiscal tools, and legal frameworks can support the effective implementation of F-gas regulations.

Speakers:

Eslam Mahdy (Cool Up – Guidehouse),

Barbara Gschrey (Cool Up – Öko-Recherche),

Sinisa Prodanovic (Cool Up – Öko-Recherche),

Zeynep Gokcen Asan (Cool Up – UNDP Turkiye),

Lara Haidar (National Ozone Unit in Lebanon),

Dr. Ezzat Lewis (National Ozone Unit, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency)

The session covered the following topics: 

✅ National Kigali Implementation Plans from Egypt and Lebanon, including strategies for HFC phase-down
✅ Policy reform, technology transition, and capacity building in the servicing sector
✅ Türkiye’s refrigerant legislation and training initiatives for provincial officers
✅ Regional exchange on shared challenges, lessons learned, and upcoming initiatives among National Ozone Units (NOUs) 

The session drew strong interest from NOUs across the MENA region and other Article 5 countries, fostering a rich discussion on enforcement strategies and cross-country collaboration.

Cool Up continues its efforts to accelerate the transition to sustainable cooling through multi-stakeholder collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing across the MENA region and beyond.