Valeooscope - Air Conditioning System Thermal comfort loop

4.1 The Kyoto commitment

4.2 Kyoto Protocol basic rules

Refrigerant fluids do have an impact on our planet by increasing the greenhouse effect. Many countries have signed the Kyoto Protocol and committed to reducing the effects of A/C systems by securing their air conditioning servicing practices and by tracing the refrigerant business in the auto- motive industry. The objective was to reduce overall emissions of greenhouse gases by at least 5% to below 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008 to 2012. Kyoto Protocol Ratification The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (http://unfccc.int/2860.php)

Countries may implement the Kyoto protocol in many different manners but the aim is common to all. 4.2.1 Fluid volume traceability g Refrigerant must be traced at distribution level g Refrigerant must be traced at garage level 4.2.2 Garage equipment and people competency Garages must be well prepared to proceed to refrigerants manipulations g All the appropriate tools must be available in the workshop g People must be skilled in A/C servicing 4.2.3 Maintenance procedures g The A/C loop refill is only authorised if the loop is not leaking g An empty loop cannot be refilled prior to a full leak diagnosis g Refrigerant degassing is forbidden 4.2.4 A/C system evolution Since the Kyoto Protocol, players in the A/C market have committed to reducing the effects of refrige- rants on global warming and ozone depletion. Two indicators are used to assess the effects of refrigerants on Earth ozone depleting and global warming: g The ODP – Ozone Depleting Potential g The GWP – Global Warming Potential

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, December 1997. The Kyoto Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005.

Deployment dates and local rules vary from country to country, but basic common rules must be applied by all. g Assessment of the first phase by end of 2012 g Next objective is to reach -20% in 2020 vs 1990 (Europe decision No 406/2009/CE) and -50% by 2050

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