Fluorinated refrigerant gases such as HFCs used in air conditioners, refrigerators, and industrial cooling systems have global warming potentials thousands of times higher than CO₂. Yet they remain largely overlooked and are rarely addressed at end of life. Morocco has demonstrated leadership by ratifying the Kigali Amendment, committing to the phasedown of HFC production and consumption. However, no country-level framework currently addresses the vast quantities of refrigerant gases already embedded in existing cooling equipment. As a result, when an equipment reaches end of life and is dismantled, often through informal channels, refrigerants are routinely vented into the atmosphere. This pattern is common across Article 5 countries worldwide.

The FÖHN mitigation activity addresses this critical emissions gap by establishing Morocco’s first integrated recovery-to-destruction system for non-ODS fluorinated gases, known as F-gases. The activity collects refrigerants from end-of-life cooling systems across all sectors: residential, commercial, industrial, and public. These gases are then permanently destroyed in a dedicated facility using Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP)-approved technology. A cutting-edge, end-to-end Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system, developed with local technology companies, ensures full traceability across the entire project boundary: from collection and transport to final destruction.

The activity is developed and implemented by Sentinel Earth AG, which provides upfront investment, infrastructure, and operational coordination. In parallel, structured training programmes are delivered in collaboration with professional associations and vocational institutions to build capacity among HVAC technicians and sustainability specialists. These training programmes raise awareness of fluorinated gases, their high climate impact, and best practices for safe handling and recovery.

FÖHN mitigation activity would not take place without the support of the KliK Foundation. There is no market value associated with destroying refrigerant gases, and no actor currently bears the cost of proper end-of-life treatment. Carbon revenues directly finance the entire system, including infrastructure, operations, training, and incentives for technicians and collectors. The activity is transforming an informal and polluting practice into a formal, skilled sector dedicated to the prevention of high-GWP emissions and accelerating the transition to greener cooling solutions by removing inefficient, end-of-life devices from circulation.

The activity is fully additional to Morocco’s NDC. Fluorinated gas destruction at end of life is not included in Morocco’s unconditional climate targets, and no existing policies or measures mandate or incentivise such action.

Technology employed: The activity deploys state-of-the-art, TEAP-approved destruction technology for fluorinated gases, achieving permanent molecular breakdown with destruction efficiencies of 99.99%, consistent with TEAP benchmarks. This is combined with advanced digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification systems developed with local technology companies. The integrated setup enables real-time tracking, traceability, and verification across all project stages, from refrigerant recovery at end-of-life equipment through transport, consolidation, and final destruction, ensuring transparency and environmental integrity under Article 6.

Environmental and social benefits: Fluorinated gases such as HFCs have global warming potentials thousands of times higher than CO₂. A single end-of-life household air conditioner can contain enough refrigerant to have a climate impact equivalent to driving a conventional car approximately 10,000 km. By preventing the uncontrolled release of these gases, the activity builds on the country's existing climate commitments and complements its efforts under the Montreal Protocol, delivering immediate and highly efficient climate benefits by targeting emissions that remain outside the reach of conventional regulatory frameworks.

Socially, the activity professionalises refrigerant recovery and destruction in Morocco, creating a new formal sector where none previously existed. Carbon revenues fund training, certification, and safe working conditions, enabling the transition of workers from informal and hazardous activities into skilled, regulated employment.

The activity contributes to priority SDGs under Morocco’s National Strategy of Sustainable Development:

SDG 1 – No Poverty: The activity targets the integration of at least 150 low-income individuals into formal employment by 2030, offering stable livelihoods to workers who currently operate at the margins of the refrigeration value chain.

SDG 4 – Quality Education: By 2028, at least 300 technicians will have completed specialised training and certification in refrigerant handling, safe recovery techniques, and environmental best practices.

SDG 8 – Decent Work: 100% of full-time jobs created include contracts, HSE training, and social protection.

SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption: Approximately 505 tons of refrigerant gases safely recovered and destroyed by 2030, verified through MRV reports.