COPA Refrigerant Recovery Training and Gap Analysis in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone joined COPA in 2023 as an official member country. On March 19 and 20, 2024, a refrigerant recovery training for refrigeration technicians took place in Sierra Leone. This initiative was requested by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Sierra Leone and facilitated through COPA. The hired trainer was a female expert in refrigeration and air conditioning from the national ozone program of Senegal. This training provided on the one hand an opportunity for exchange between two COPA member countries in the region and on the other hand to focus on promoting the role of female RAC technicians, as the trainer is a founding member and president of Senegal’s national network of women refrigeration technicians (RE.NA.F.F.).

The training aimed to improve the skills of refrigeration professionals in the responsible handling of refrigerants and to raise awareness of the consequences of improper handling of refrigerants. In particular, the focus was on the need for proper recovery of refrigerants to reduce the environmental impact associated with the maintenance of refrigeration systems.
Beyond its immediate scope, this training is in line with broader efforts to protect the environment and mitigate climate change. It addresses the urgent need to train key stakeholders in the refrigeration sector to adopt environmentally friendly practices while complying with international regulations to protect the ozone layer and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

On-site Assessment and Recommendations for ODS and HFC banks management

Following the training, the Senegalese consultant conducted a detailed assessment to gain a comprehensive overview of the current state of ODS and HFC management in Sierra Leone. Areas of interest included reviewing the current policy framework for the regulation of these substances, evaluating specific funding mechanisms and analyzing the existing infrastructure for the collection, recovery, recycling and destruction of refrigerants. The mission focused in particular on identifying challenges, gaps and opportunities for improvement in this crucial area for environmental protection and climate change mitigation. The information gathered from the stakeholders will play an important role in developing recommendations to strengthen the management of ODS and HFC banks in the country.