Tunisia Takes a Decisive Step in Its Ecological Transition
The North African nation has officially launched the third and final phase of its HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) elimination management plan. The strategic rollout was presented during a national workshop held in Tunis by the National Agency for Environmental Protection (ANPE), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
A Firm Climate Commitment Toward 2030
- Timeframe: 2026‑2030
- Goal: Complete phase‑out of polluting refrigerant fluids that deplete the ozone layer and accelerate global warming.
- International alignment: Reinforces Tunisia’s obligations under the Montreal Protocol and other climate accords.
Industrial Modernisation as an Economic Lever
Technical experts and industry representatives at the workshop highlighted that the final phase is more than an environmental measure—it is a growth engine. It offers a unique opportunity to modernise the entire cooling and air‑conditioning sector across Tunisia.
Circular Economy and Refrigerant Recovery
The programme centres on circular‑economy principles:
- Creation of a national integrated mechanism for the collection, recycling, and regeneration of controlled refrigerants.
- This system will limit uncontrolled emissions into the atmosphere and create new value chains for recovered fluids.
Technological Innovation & Shift to Natural Refrigerants
Tunisia’s national strategy strongly encourages companies to transition to natural refrigerants such as ammonia (NH₃) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
- Environmental benefits: Zero ozone‑depletion potential and lower global‑warming impact.
- Energy performance: Higher efficiency compared with traditional HCFCs.
- Pilot projects: Targeted at the fishing and agri‑food sectors—industries that rely heavily on high‑capacity refrigeration—to boost their competitiveness on international markets.
Social Dimension: Inclusion & Green Jobs
The third phase is distinguished by a social focus:
- Women’s inclusion: Dedicated efforts to increase female participation in technical refrigeration trades.
- Specialised training programmes: Designed to equip women (and all workers) with the skills needed to handle advanced technologies and safely manage new natural refrigerants.
- Talent pipeline: Lays the groundwork for a new generation of green‑economy professionals.
Further Reading
Keywords: Tunisia, ecological transition, HCHC phase‑out, Montreal Protocol, natural refrigerants, circular economy, green jobs, women in tech, UNIDO, climate commitment 2030.
