On 4-8 September 2023, GIZ Proklima, which focuses on the promotion of ozone- and climate-friendly technologies, organised a study tour in China. The main objective of this study tour is to encourage international exchange and share experiences from China on the production of R290 air conditioning (ACs) and measures to increase energy efficiency. The delegates include representatives from the private sector, especially AC manufacturers and government agencies from Asian countries such as Bangladesh, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

During the tour, the delegates visited the leading R290 AC and compressor manufacturers in Guangdong province, such as Midea Group and GMCC. Throughout the visits, the delegates had opportunities to discuss and exchange on the R290 ACs product lines, current market situations and future trends, and safety standards with representatives from each factory. In addition, the delegates were invited to visit the TCL AC production line and the Test Center in Guangdong province, where TCL test their products in different aspects.

After the factory tours, the delegates joined the full-day workshop at the Foreign Environment Cooperation Center of Ministry of Ecology and Environment (FECO) in Beijing, together with the China Household Electrical Appliances Association (CHEAA), and several enterprises from the north of China. The workshop focused on the international exchange between China and other participating countries. Starting the morning session with the welcoming remarks from Dong Wenfu from the Atmospheric Environment Department, Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and the secretary general of FECO, SHANG Shuwen, followed by the other organisations like CHEAA and GIZ China. After the welcoming remarks, Anja Werntges, GIZ Proklima, introduced GIZ Proklima and the context of the study tour.

One of the delegates from Thailand, Supranee Luengrungsub, Director of Instructor and Assessor Development Division from the Department of Skill Development, Ministry of Labour, expressed: “the study tour did not only broaden my mind to the new innovative solutions on the green cooling technology, especially to produce R290 air conditioners, together with the warm welcome from the manufacturers and Foreign Environment Cooperation Center of Ministry of Ecology and Environment (FECO) in Beijing, the workshop also clarified the implementation of standards and procedures on R290 products and the development of safety skills for technicians and the provision of after-sale services for the end users. And this knowledge can be used in the development of the training curriculum for Thai technicians, which is truly essential for the transition to green cooling technology in Thailand”.