ASHRAE and UNEP's OzonAction have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to renew and expand their long-standing collaboration on environmental protection and sustainable development in the refrigeration and air conditioning sectors. Ginger Scoggins, ASHRAE President, signed the agreement at UNEP's Paris Duty Station during meetings with Jim Curlin, Head of the OzonAction Branch. Patricia Kameri-Mbote, Director of UNEP's Law Division, signed on behalf of UNEP. This new MOU is the latest in a series of cooperation agreements between the two organizations dating back to 2007.
The new ASHRAE-UNEP MOU calls for collaboration to support the evolving needs of developing countries by providing specialized products and services that facilitate refrigerant management for climate protection and energy efficiency. Both parties agree to explore opportunities to advance standards, codes, norms, and guidelines concerning refrigerant management, including aspects related to flammability, operation, and maintenance. The joint effort will contribute to enhancing the safety and sustainability of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.
The ASHRAE UNEP partnership actively promotes activities that emphasize sustainability and state-of-the-art technologies, while also aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes encouraging the adoption of lower global warming potential (GWP) alternative refrigerants, efficient energy systems, and innovative building designs, all aimed at reducing emissions and environmental impact. The collaboration develops resources accessible to specialists and policymakers, aiding them in understanding the importance and application of emerging technologies that promote environmental protection. Also covered by the MOU is advancing workforce development through gender mainstreaming including, but not limited to, cooperation under the International Network of Women in Cooling (INWIC).
Operational aspects of the partnership are steered by a collaborative ASHRAE-UNEP liaison working group, responsible for implementing a biennial work plan. This working group met on May 13-14, 2024, and is currently engaged in the implementation plan for 2024-2026 under the newly signed MOU.
