Implement the Kigali Amendment targets by capping and reducing the import/production of HFCs over time. This includes establishing licensing and quota systems for HFC refrigerants and banning high-GWP gases where feasible. A clear regulatory phase-down roadmap gives industry certainty to innovate and prevents a resurgence of outdated, harmful refrigerants.

Strengthen customs enforcement and penalties to crack down on illegal refrigerant trade (e.g. smuggling of banned CFCs or unlicensed HFC imports). Illegal refrigerants undermine phase-down efforts and can flood markets with cheap, harmful gases. Policy measures include import licensing systems, refrigerant tracking, the use of refrigerant identifiers at borders, and stiff fines for non-compliance. 

Ensuring robust compliance not only upholds environmental targets but also protects law-abiding businesses and maintains market fairness.

Introduce standards for leak-tight equipment and require regular leak checks and maintenance for large cooling systems. Even small leak reductions yield big climate wins due to HFCs’ high GWP. Policies can mandate proper sealing of equipment, frequent inspections, and prompt repair of leaks, as well as prohibit intentional venting of refrigerant. The EU’s F-Gas Regulation, for example, requires leak detection systems and technician inspections at set intervals to minimize refrigerant losses.

Facilitate the transition to sustainable refrigerants, such as ammonia, HFOs, hydrocarbons, or CO₂, by updating codes and safety standards and incentivizing new technologies. Governments can fast-track approval of low-GWP refrigerants, revise building and fire codes to accommodate them, and offer tax or import incentives for equipment using natural refrigerants. 

Such policies spur market adoption of alternatives that have minimal climate impact. For instance, ammonia and hydrocarbon refrigerants have zero or near-zero GWP and are successfully used in many industries; with proper standards in place, their uptake can be accelerated without compromising safety. Supporting R&D and demonstration projects for alternative refrigerants also helps overcome barriers and localizes production of new cooling technologies.

Establish infrastructure and regulations for end-of-life refrigerant management. This includes requiring technicians to recover refrigerant during servicing or disposal of AC/refrigeration units, setting up reclamation facilities to purify and re-use recovered gases, and ensuring safe destruction of unwanted refrigerants. 

Robust recovery programs are critical because most emissions occur when old equipment is scrapped. Jurisdictions like Japan and the United States have take-back schemes and destruction incentives that prevent millions of tons of CO₂e emissions by destroying or reclaiming refrigerants instead of releasing them.

Build a certified workforce for handling alternative refrigerants and managing existing ones safely. Training programmes teach best practices in refrigerant recovery, recycling, and leak reduction. Certification requirements ensure only qualified technicians purchase and service refrigerants. This professionalization improves compliance and safety, especially as many next-generation refrigerants are flammable or high-pressure.