Story by Tarirai Madhuyu
HARARE Polytechnic College has partnered with the private sector in a capacity-building initiative to reduce ozone depletion substances as part of sustained efforts to curb the effects of climate change.
As the country forges ahead with reducing causes of climate change, the private sector has partnered with tertiary institutions to advocate for green energy use regionally.
In an interview with the ZBC News this Thursday, the chairperson of the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Association, Mr Caign Manyukwa revealed they are promoting proper handling of refrigerants to reduce ozone depletion.
“We are educating our members and clients on the need to move from ozone-depleting substances to natural refrigerants with very low or zero ozone-depleting gases. We therefore encourage the nation to adopt national standards and adhere to the Statutory Instruments with effect to refrigeration and air conditioning matters.”
The government through the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development has established centres of excellence with students at Harare Polytechnic College going through a training programme on the adoption of user-friendly refrigerants.
“Here at Harare Polytechnic College, we have since started training students on the new technique where we have modified our syllabus to match with the current trends in climate change mitigation. This method is effective because it has zero greenhouse emissions and it also saves power,” said refrigeration specialist, Ms Lilian Mtizwa.
Head of Department Production at the Harare Polytechnic College, Ms Tendai Muvengi said, “Harare Polytechnic College is the first training institution in the country to train students on this new technique. We aim to support the government in mitigating the effects of climate change. There are also several benefits from this project through employment creation and above all, the attainment of a clean air environment.”
Zimbabwe’s fight to reduce the effects of climate change has seen the country establishing the National Ozone Unit to implement the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment.