Accelerating the Global Adoption of Climate-friendly and Energy-efficient Refrigerators

This document offers a policy guide developed under the United for Efficiency (U4E) initiative to assist countries in transitioning to climate-friendly and energy-efficient household refrigerators. It provides a structured roadmap for policymakers based on a five-stage integrated policy approach, which includes setting minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), implementing supporting policies such as labeling and communication campaigns, establishing financial mechanisms to overcome cost barriers, ensuring effective monitoring and enforcement, and managing environmental and health impacts through responsible product lifecycle management. Drawing on assessments from 150 developing countries and emerging economies, the guide quantifies potential savings in energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and costs, and highlights the risks of inefficient or imported used appliances. It also includes case studies, particularly from Ghana, that demonstrate successful regulatory interventions. The guide supports harmonization with international standards, such as IEC 62552:2015, and encourages regional cooperation.