Xolile Nonjabulo Magagula, refrigeration mechanic from Eswatini, during a training in Germany. © GIZ / Anton Sahler
A silent and invisible threat is taking an increasing death toll: extreme heat. Temperatures above 40°C are not an exception anymore, they are becoming the norm in many parts of the world. Design and equipment of buildings and cities are key for adapting to these conditions. Outside shading, trees, white roofs and green facades can lower the temperature by several degrees.
In many buildings there is and will be a need for active cooling, though. However, while cooling down your room, air conditioners contribute to global warming. Energy-efficient appliances using natural refrigerants can break this vicious cycle.
The number of air conditioners in southern Africa is expected to rise from 5.4 million to around 17.7 million by 2030 – along with greenhouse gas emissions in the sector. Addressing this trend, the “Cooling Programme for Southern Africa (CooPSA)” aims to establish climate-friendly air conditioners using natural refrigerants in the market — harnessing carbon markets to finance the transition over the long term.
Triple benefit: cost-effective as well as climate- and environmentally friendly
The new units can be used for both cooling and heating and are characterised by high energy efficiency. They operate using the natural refrigerant propane (R-290). Unlike synthetic refrigerants, propane is climate- and ozone-friendly and does not break down into harmful forever-chemicals, PFAS.
Good to know: An energy-efficient air conditioner using propane can avoid up to 24.1 t CO₂eq over a ten-year operating lifetime. This corresponds to seven return flights from South Africa to Germany. Put differently, during this period the unit consumes up to 27,100 kWh less electricity than a conventional system – and users save several thousand dollars in energy costs.
The partner countries Botswana and Eswatini received the first “green” air conditioners in December 2025. These units were fully financed by the project and will be used for demonstration and training purposes.
No green transformation without qualified specialists
Propane is best known as a cooking gas; it is therefore highly flammable. Installation and maintenance may only be carried out by qualified specialists who observe the necessary safety precautions. Well-trained technicians also know how proper installation and regular maintenance can prevent leaks and improve the energy efficiency of air conditioners – regardless of the refrigerant used.
To ensure correct installation and maintenance of the new units, the the CooPSA project trains around one hundred specialists per partner country (Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, South Africa).
Kick-starting green air conditioners
By the end of the project in December 2027, more than ten thousand green air conditioners are expected to be imported into the partner countries and sold to end customers. The main barrier to market entry is that energy-efficient R-290 air conditioners are more expensive to purchase than those using synthetic refrigerants. This is mostly because they are still produced in smaller quantities.
The higher purchase price discourages potential customers, even though it is more than offset during operation through lower energy consumption. CooPSA therefore provides import companies with a subsidy, enabling the environmentally friendly units to be sold at the same price as conventional systems.
Upscaling and sustainability: harnessing the mechanisms of carbon markets
To prevent sales from declining after the project ends, subsidies are to be financed through carbon markets in the future. The basis for this is Article 6 of the Paris Agreement of the United Nations’ climate framework.
The idea behind this is that carbon markets should drive climate action by enabling mitigation measures to take place where they are most cost-effective. CooPSA supports partner countries in creating the necessary conditions by contributing to the development of regulatory frameworks:
The first step towards a functioning carbon market is the development of national carbon market frameworks, which describe how the carbon market in each country is organised and ensure that emissions reductions are not counted twice.
The Mitigation Action Design Document (MADD) describes the mitigation activity to be marketed – in this case, the transition from climate-damaging to more climate-friendly air conditioners. MADDs need to be validated by accredited auditors.
Following successful validation, countries offering carbon credits can engage with potential buyers, such as companies or countries with high greenhouse gas emissions. The project supports its partner countries in identifying interested parties and facilitating discussions.
Revenues are to be invested in subsidies for additional units or further measures promoting sustainable cooling.
Who is behind CooPSA?
CooPSA is funded by Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI). The project is implemented by GIZ, a German federal not for profit enterprise, in close cooperation with the national ozone units of the partner countries (Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, South Africa).
Outlook: climate action with signalling effect
CooPSA demonstrates how technological innovation, skills development and international climate finance can work together. If green air conditioners can be permanently financed through carbon markets, a scalable model for sustainable cooling will emerge – benefiting the climate, the economy and society far beyond the region.
