The closing workshop for the 'Green Cooling Initiative (GCI) III Project' was held recently, marking the successful completion of the project in Bangladesh.
The Green Cooling Initiative (GCI) III, GIZ Bangladesh, and the Ozone Cell of the DoE, jointly organised the event at the Department of Environment (DoE) in Dhaka, with the participation of key stakeholders from the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sector, says a statement.
The workshop underscored Bangladesh's commitment to phasing out ozone-depleting substances. As a signatory to the Kigali Amendment and the Paris Agreement, Bangladesh has made notable progress in promoting natural refrigerants and improving energy efficiency in the RAC sector.
The GCI III project has played a vital role in strengthening capacity, shaping policy, and raising awareness about climate-friendly cooling solutions.
Md Ziaul Haque, Director and Head of the Ozone Cell at DoE, inaugurated the event by commending the collaborative efforts that contributed to the project's success.
In a video message, Ellen Michel, Project Manager of GIZ Proklima, emphasised the global significance of green cooling and highlighted GCI's contributions to Bangladesh's sustainable development.
Shanin Muntaha, Implementation Manager of the GCI III Project, provided an overview of the project's key interventions, including technician training on the safe use of hydrocarbon refrigerants, the development of training materials, and public awareness campaigns targeting students, professionals, and consumers.
A panel discussion titled 'Advancing Sustainable Cooling in Bangladesh: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Way Forward' brought together experts from academia, industry, and government, including representatives from BUET, Elite Hitech Industries, Walton Hi-Tech Industries, and the Ozone Cell.
The discussion addressed barriers to adoption and strategies for accelerating green cooling technologies in Bangladesh.
The event featured a symbolic handover of training tools and demonstration air conditioners to institutional partners, along with the launch of a technician handbook developed under the project -- resources aimed at strengthening future capacity-building initiatives within the RAC service sector.
Mohammad Shamim Akhtar, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, and Dr Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change spoke at the closing session.
German Ambassador to Bangladesh, Achim Troster, reaffirmed the importance of international collaboration in tackling climate challenges. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, Director General of the Department of Environment. Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, said the active engagement of the private sector in GCI III project ensures that the changes initiated by the project will spread directly, and more effectively among the people.
