On August 30, 2023, the Green Cooling Initiative (GCI) III held its second progress meeting. Representatives from the Department of Climate Change and Environment (CCE), the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), the Department of Skill Development (DSD), King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), and air-conditioning equipment manufacturers participated in the meeting. The purpose was to discuss and gather proposals for the project’s action plan for the year 2023-2024, as well as to assess and discuss current challenges in Thailand’s cooling sector. The meeting aimed to identify collaborative solutions and ways to address these issues among the project’s partner organisations involved in GCI III in Thailand. This project is the third phase of GIZ’s Green Cooling Initiative (GCI) project, which aims to promote the use of natural refrigerants and improve energy efficiency in cooling systems.

Siriporn Parvikam, Project leader of the GCI III project in Thailand and Kritaya Chunviriyakul, representing the Department of Climate Change and Environment (CCE), a key partner organisation of GCI III in Thailand, welcomed participants. They opened the meeting and discussed the renaming of the department, which was previously known as the Department of Environmental Quality Promotion. This was followed by introductions of the participants and the GCI III team. They then provided a progress report on the project, highlighting past activities and outlining future activity plans. Additionally, they shared information on global and regional trends in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) sector.

In the morning session, the Department of Skill Development (DSD) reported on their activity plans, including curriculum development and training for air-conditioning technicians. They also discussed their efforts to raise awareness of natural refrigerants among the public and promote their use in Thailand. As part of these initiatives, the GCI III project conducted a pilot project in collaboration with King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB). This project involved the installation of split-type air conditioning units using R290 refrigerant, which has a low Global Warming Potential (GWP), thus contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The meeting also included updates on current and future activities under the Cooling Innovation Fund (CIF) through the efforts of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).

This included insights into global trends in the use of natural refrigerants, presented by Philipp Denzinger, Global team leader of the Global Green Cooling Initiative (GCI) III from GIZ Proklima.

Participants also discussed gaps and challenges in transitioning from national to green cooling policies. They deliberated on future activities related to GCI III in Thailand, aiming to strengthen cooperation among organisations for licensing and certification of technicians involved in air conditioning installation and maintenance. They also emphasised the importance of raising awareness about the RAC sector and developing sustainable practices, as well as the need for ongoing skills development and national standards for technicians.