The Montreal Protocol (MP) is a multilateral environmental agreement which was established in 1987 to eliminate ozone depleting substances (ODS). When released in the air, these man-made chemicals, which are typically used in refrigeration or as foam-blowing agents, damage the stratospheric ozone layer. This would allow increased harmful UV radiation to reach Earth, resulting in higher incidences of skin cancer and eye cataracts, as well as adverse effects on natural ecosystems and agriculture. In 1991, the Multilateral Fund (MLF) was created to support developing countries and economies in transition (Article 5 countries) in their efforts to comply with the requirements of the MP. Article 5 countries (A5) can receive funding from the MLF and propose projects to meet their MP obligations. These projects include for example longterm activities, such as HCFC Phaseout Management Plans (HPMPs) or Kigali Implementation Plans (KIPs) that go along with the HCFC phaseout and HFC phasedown schedule according to the Montreal Protocol. Additionally, the Montreal Protocol opens at certain occasions funding windows for specific topics. These include the topic of energy efficiency or the management of ODS/HFC-banks, i.e. the management of substances contained in existing equipment, chemical stockpiles, foams and other products not yet released to the atmosphere. All these projects are implemented by 4 official implementing agencies, namely UNEP, UNDP, UNIDO and the World Bank (WB). Donor countries (non-A5 countries) can also act as bilateral implementing agencies and deliver 20% of their financial obligation through individual projects. The government of Germany is implementing its 20% bilateral contribution through GIZ - German Ozone Protection Fund (Ozonfonds), which is part of GIZ Proklima. Since 1996, GIZ is supporting the German government in all its activities within the Montreal Protocol regime, through direct policy advise to the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implementation of the 20% bilateral contribution of Germany through the GIZ- Ozone Protection Fund (Ozonfonds). Since then, GIZ has implemented more than 330 individual projects, of which almost 50 are currently ongoing. These activities adhere to MLF requirements, rules and regulations and include HCFC Phaseout Management Plans (HPMPs), enabling activities, verification reports, Kigali Implementation Plans (KIPs), pilot projects on energy efficiency and projects on ODS-banks management. GIZ currently operates in 16 countries and cooperates, especially in larger countries also with the UN implementing agencies. GIZ´s support to the Montreal Protocol has over the years developed into a larger project cluster - namely GIZ Proklima. GIZ Proklima includes currently 10 projects financed or co-financed by BMZ, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the International Climate Initiative (IKI), KLIK Foundation, the EU and the French Development Agency (AFD). GIZ Proklima is committed to the "green cooling approach", which means a transformation of the cooling sector towards energy efficient and climate-friendly cooling through the use of natural refrigerants (mostly hydrocarbons, CO2 and ammonia). This work is based on three pillars: policy advice, capacity building and technology transfer.
