News

How cooperation between customs and environmental authorities and stronger environmental enforcement can help turn climate ambition into real-world results.  This article was prepared by UNEP OzonAction in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO)

Cooling the Planet: How Skilled Technicians and Smart Servicing are Driving Environmental ProtectionOn World Environment Day (5 June), attention often turns to forests, oceans, and wildlife. Yet one of the most powerful, and often overlooked, levers for environmental protection lies in the hands of refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) technicians.

OzonAction is pleased to invite INWIC members to join an interactive webinar on 9 June 2026 at 13:00 CET.This session, organised by INWIC, provides an excellent opportunity for INWIC members to learn more about the network’s work, engage directly with the INWIC Board, and contribute their ideas and feedback.Participants will have the opportunity to:

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 25-31 March 2026 - National Ozone Officers, Customs Officers, Energy Efficiency Officers, and partner agencies from Pacific Island Countries convened in Port Moresby for three back-to-back regional training workshops on trade control, monitoring, and reporting of controlled substances and refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 5-6 May 2026 – The National Ozone Unit (NOU) at the National Center for Environmental Compliance in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) in West Asia, organized two national consultation meetings in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 5– 6 May 2026 to support the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and strengthen the regulatory and institutional frameworks for sustainable refrigerant management in the Kingdom.

WORLD OZONE DAY THEME - 2026: Global action for a cooler planetCelebrating 10 years of sustainable cooling under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol 

Asunción, Paraguay, 8 May 2026 — The Meeting of the Latin American Network of National Ozone Officers was held in conjunction with the XVIII Ibero-American Congress of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (CIAR 2026), enabling Ozone Officers to participate in technical conferences and a trade exhibition aimed at promoting regional cooperation in sustainable refrigeration.

Casale Monferrato, Italy, 8 May 2026 – Eleven female refrigeration and air‑conditioning (RAC) professionals from six South Asian countries successfully completed the International Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme for RAC Certification Trainers and Assessors, organized by UNEP OzonAction under the Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) and hosted by the Italian Association of Refrigeration Technicians (ATF).

Vienna, Austria, 15 April 2026 – The Montreal Protocol Dialogue on Action against Illegal Trade was organized by the UNEP OzonAction in cooperation with the UNEP Green Customs Initiative (GCI) Secretariat and hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on 15 April 2026 in Vienna, Austria.

On 16 April 2026, UNEP OzonAction, in close collaboration with the Multilateral Fund (MLF) Secretariat, successfully organized a regional webinar for the Africa Region titled “Mastering the CP Data Online Reporting System”. The webinar was designed to support National Ozone Units (NOUs) in strengthening their capacity to prepare accurate and timely Country Programme (CP) data submissions, ahead of the 1 May 2026 reporting deadline.

UNEP OzonAction and the Multilateral Fund (MLF) Secretariat invite staff of the National Ozone Units (NOUs) to participate in a practical webinar focused on navigating the CP Data Online Reporting System and enhancing data accuracy, in preparation for the 1 May 2026 submission deadline.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction, in close cooperation with the Government of China and the China Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Industry Association (CRAA), will hold the 2026 Ozone2Climate (O2C) Technology Roadshow and Industry Roundtable from 8–10 April 2026 at the Capital International Exhibition & Convention Centre in Beijing.

Paris, France, 17 March 2026 - UNEP OzonAction has released a complete revision of its university-level course for students pursuing career paths involving cooling technologies. The objective of the revised course is to help undergraduate engineering students learn how to apply new technologies to environmental challenges, with a particular focus on ozone depletion, global warming, and international environmental treaties.

2026 International Women’s Day Frontline Champions: Women in Environmental EnforcementCampaign Announcement from Patricia Mbote, Director, UNEP Law Division

On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, UNEP Law Division’s OzonAction and the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme are pleased to launch a global campaign honoring the women safeguarding the integrity of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, its Kigali Amendment, and the broader environmental compliance and enforcement landscape.

Paris, France, 25 February 2026 - The global customs community once again demonstrated its commitment to environmental protection in light of World Customs Day 2026 celebrations (26 January 2026), with UNEP OzonAction spotlighting the voices of Customs Officers from different parts of the globe. Their professional journeys reflect the motivation and common challenges they face in enforcing the Montreal Protocol.

Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, 16–19 December 2025 — National Ozone Officers (NOOs) of Southeast Asia countries, together with Customs authorities, partner agencies, and international organizations, convened in Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, for the Network Meeting of Southeast Asia National Ozone Officers back-to-back with the Twinning National Ozone Officer–Customs Workshop on Strengthening Enforcement of Trade Control of Controlled Substances under the Montreal Protocol.

Paris, France, 6 February 2026 — Since 2007, ASHRAE and UNEP have partnered to assist developing countries in transitioning to non-ozone-depleting refrigerants. Biennial work plans guide projects undertaken through the partnership. 

              CUSTOMS AT THE FRONTLINE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                          Shared motivations, common challenges, and collective action 

The Gender Assessment Factsheet is a practical guide designed to support gender-responsive activities during the preparation and implementation of multi-year agre

Kigali, Rwanda, 14 November 2025 – Female refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) technicians from Anglophone African countries convened in Kigali for a three-day (12-14 November) Regional Training Workshop aimed at strengthening technical skills, enhancing regional collaboration, and advancing gender equality within the RAC servicing sector.

Lomé, Togo – November 27, 2025 – From 25 to 27 November  2025, Lomé hosted a high-level regional workshop focused on the implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, a landmark agreement aimed at reducing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—potent greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.

Mombasa, Kenya, 17 November 2025 – From 10 to 12 November 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) organized a high-level workshop in Mombasa, Kenya, aiming to strengthen the capacity of Customs administrations in selected African countries to combat the illegal trade of environmentally sensitive goods, including ozone-depleting substances (ODS), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and hazardous and other wastes. The event was made possible thanks to the financial support of the China Customs Co-operation Fund (CCF-China).

The UNEP/IIR webinar “Refrigerated Transport in Hot Climates – Challenges and Innovations” will take place on 9 December 2025 from 14:00 to 15:00 (Paris time) via Zoom and YouTube.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 27 November 2025 – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction Compliance Assistance Program (CAP) in West Asia, together with the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), convened representatives from National Ozone Units (NOUs), industry leaders, and international experts for a joint workshop at HVACR World.