ASHRAE and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have renewed their partnership to advance sustainable refrigeration and air conditioning, signing a new Memorandum of Understanding focused on lifecycle refrigerant management, energy efficiency, technology, safety and capacity building in developing countries.
The two-year agreement supports implementation of the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment. Priorities include strengthening the refrigeration and air-conditioning workforce in developing countries, advancing international standards and technical guidance, promoting energy-efficient cooling, and exploring digital and AI-enabled tools for refrigerant management and system performance.
The partnership will operate through the 2026–2027 Work Plan under the theme “Lifecycle Refrigerant Management.” Activities cover refrigerants from manufacture and importation through equipment selection, use, servicing and leak prevention to end-of-life management.
Planned projects include an AI-powered mobile field companion for RAC technicians and new fact sheets on the safe handling of flammable refrigerants. ASHRAE and UNEP will also continue promoting and evaluating their educational products and strengthen connections between ASHRAE chapters and National Ozone Units.
The 2026–2027 plan is the seventh joint work plan between the organizations. UNEP OzonAction and ASHRAE have cooperated strategically since 2007 to advance sustainable, lower-GWP technologies and best practices in the Refrigeration Servicing Sector.
