Russia plans to launch an infrastructure for monitoring climate-related compounds.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has approved an action plan for the second stage (2026-2030) of the Unified National System for Monitoring Climate-Active Substances project. This system is being created to achieve the national goal of a stable and dynamically developing economy. It will provide independent climate forecasts, data on climate change factors, and a scientific basis for decisions on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting the economy to climate shifts.

The second stage involves the completion of the development of a scientific, infrastructure, and methodological base, its testing, and its launch into permanent operation. The implementation is the responsibility of the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Digital Development, Roshydromet, and the institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The funding comes from the budget. Federal agencies report every three months, and the Ministry of Economic Development submits a consolidated report to the government annually. The project was approved in 2022 and is necessary for the ecological restructuring of the economy and adaptation to climate change.

How will this affect companies that work with industrial refrigeration equipment?

The introduction of a monitoring system and increased control over emissions will directly affect companies that produce, maintain, and use refrigeration systems. First and foremost, the requirements for refrigerants, which are substances with a high global warming potential (GWP), will be tightened. The government will be able to monitor the circulation of these compounds, particularly fluorocarbons (FCs), in real-time. For companies, this means stricter leak control, increased requirements for system tightness, and a gradual shift away from older refrigerants (e.g., R-404A, R-507) in favor of more sustainable alternatives (propane, ammonia, CO2). This will require investments in upgrades, staff training, and automatic leak detection systems. While short-term operational costs may increase, new markets for innovative solutions will emerge.

Business models will shift from simple equipment sales to comprehensive carbon footprint management services. Now that the government is collecting independent data, customers (logistics centers, food warehouses, meat processing plants, and breweries) will demand not only performance but also verified emission reductions. Companies offering service contracts with leak monitoring, refrigerant replacement with natural substances, and energy optimization to reduce indirect CO2 emissions will benefit. The demand for green equipment (CO2 chillers and ammonia systems with minimal filling) will increase, especially in segments where customers are required to report on their carbon footprint for export or participation in national projects.

The operation of the existing fleet will require a complete review and certification of each unit. As part of the second stage of the project, it is planned to create methodological documents and, possibly, electronic registers of equipment with information on the type and mass of the refrigerant. This will increase the bureaucratic burden for service providers, as each refilling or dismantling will need to be recorded and submitted to the system. The accelerated withdrawal of equipment using ozone-depleting substances (HCFCs) and high-potential mixtures will be facilitated by the implementation of bans, which will shorten their service life. This will create a stream of orders for dismantling old machines and installing new ones, but competition in the conversion market will increase.

In the long term, the industry will have to integrate with the state scientific infrastructure. As the monitoring system becomes the basis for emission reduction decisions, the Ministry of Economic Development and Roshydromet may introduce regulations that link emission permits for industrial facilities to the maximum amount of refrigerant. Equipment manufacturers will find themselves in a situation where their products affect their customers' ability to obtain environmental permits. This will lead to the consolidation of the sector, as smaller players who are unable to design sealed systems with minimal refrigerant reserves will be replaced by larger companies that can invest in R&D and certification.

Finally, in addition to regulatory risks, there are opportunities for differentiation. The monitoring system will create a transparent data market where refrigeration solution developers can provide customers with validated energy efficiency and leakage rates. The installation of sensors integrated with a government platform (for example, through the Internet of Things) will become a high-value-added service. Manufacturers that are already investing in automation, predictive maintenance, and modular natural refrigerant units will become leaders in setting standards for the entire industrial refrigeration industry in 2026-2030.