The international commitment of AREA and Centro Studi Galileo continued in Bangkok during the 48th Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, with a strong focus on training, certification and the transition towards low-GWP refrigerants. In a setting that brought together institutional representatives, associations, international organisations and HVACR stakeholders from around the world, Marco Buoni took part in two key sessions dedicated to strengthening technical skills and ensuring the safe management of new refrigerants
Preparing the servicing sector for HFC alternatives
The first event was the side event “Preparing the Servicing Sector for HFC Alternatives to Support Kigali Implementation”, co-organised by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). The meeting took place on Wednesday 15 July at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok and brought together international experts to exchange experiences, best practices and models for training and certifying RAC technicians.
The transition towards low-GWP refrigerants under the Kigali Amendment is leading to the increasing use of fluids that may be flammable and/or toxic. For this reason, workforce readiness is a critical element in the effective implementation of climate policies. In many Article 5 Parties, however, technician training and certification systems remain fragmented or insufficient, particularly when it comes to the safe handling of HFC alternatives.
The roundtable gathered representatives from countries, international organisations, industry and technical bodies. The discussion focused on strengthening national servicing ecosystems, developing capacity-building programmes, promoting effective certification systems and supporting regional approaches able to accompany the transition.
The shared message was clear: technologies and policies are not enough without properly trained technicians. Better training, stronger skills, high-quality certification, safe refrigerant handling, energy efficiency and global cooperation are inseparable elements of a sustainable and safe transition. From this perspective, the goal of global competence, recognised training pathways and certification systems capable of crossing national borders is one of the most important challenges for the future of the sector.
Flammable refrigerants: safety, regulation and skills
The second event saw Marco Buoni take part in the Danfoss Climate Solutions side event “Flammable Refrigerants are What Keep Us Awake”, held on 16 July at the UN ESCAP Building. The workshop addressed one of the most relevant technical issues in the ongoing refrigerant transition: the role of flammable refrigerants in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump applications.
The discussion helped clarify the differences and practical implications of mildly and highly flammable refrigerants, with particular attention to safety requirements, system design, the correct interpretation of ATEX requirements and the relationship between the use of flammable refrigerants and F-Gas regulation. The event also highlighted the need to distinguish between the perception of risk and the technical management of risk, avoiding oversimplifications that could hinder an orderly transition.
The panel brought together three complementary perspectives: policy, which drives the adoption of alternative refrigerants; OEMs, which are called upon to develop equipment that is both efficient and safe; and installers, who are essential to the real-world success of any technological transition. This last dimension confirms the central role of training: the safety of flammable refrigerants depends not only on components and standards, but also on the competence of those who design, install, maintain and inspect systems.
During the panel, Marco Buoni also presented IMPACT-F – Integrated Mitigation Platform for Assessing Climate Targets for F-gases, a European Union-funded project under Horizon Europe. Launched in June 2026 and running until May 2029, the project aims to develop a global modelling platform to visualise and project the use of F-gases at global, regional and national level, assessing the impact of different policy pathways on emissions, energy demand and decarbonisation.
IMPACT-F brings together an international consortium of 14 partners, including intergovernmental organisations, research bodies, industry associations, consulting companies and training organisations. The project benefits from the expertise of organisations such as UNEP and IIR, while Centro Studi Galileo participates as training organiser. This element is particularly significant: modelling results and climate policies must be translated into practical tools, training pathways and concrete skills for technicians, policymakers and stakeholders.
A common direction: skills for the transition
The two events confirmed a common message: the HVACR transition cannot be addressed only as a regulatory or technological issue. The Kigali Amendment, the HFC phase-down, the introduction of low-GWP refrigerants, the growing global demand for cooling and the need to improve energy efficiency all require a structural investment in people.
Training, certification, recognition of competencies, safety and international cooperation are now essential to ensure that the transition is effective, safe and applicable in different national contexts. The commitment of AREA and Centro Studi Galileo at OEWG48 fits precisely into this perspective: contributing to the development of a global technical community able to support the HVACR sector in the transition towards alternative refrigerants, lower emissions and more efficient systems.