ASHRAE Journal - July 2024 - 7

INDUSTRY NEWS
ASHRAE and UNEP Renew
Cooperation Agreement
PARIS-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, P.E., 2023 - 2024 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 ASHRAE-UNEP partnership actively promotes
activities that emphasize sustainability and stateof-the-art
technologies, while also aligning with
the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs). This includes encouraging the adoption
of lower global warming potential alternative
refrigerants, efficient energy systems and innovative
2023-2024 ASHRAE President Ginger Scoggins, P.E., signs the new ASHRAE-UNEP MOU at
a meeting with Jim Curlin, head of UNEP OzonAction Branch, at UNEP's Paris Duty Station.
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).
2024 LOWER-GWP REFRIGERATION & AIR-CONDITIONING INNOVATION AWARD
ASHRAE and UNEP OzonAction are issuing a final call for submissions for the 2024 Lower-GWP Refrigeration &
Air-Conditioning Innovation Award. The deadline to submit entries is August 15, 2024. The award recognizes innovative technological
concepts implemented in developing countries that minimize global warming potential (GWP) through refrigeration and air-conditioning applications.
Key Criteria:
* Describe innovation in lower-GWP refrigerants
* Confirm implementation in a developing country
* Demonstrate environmental impact using low-GWP technology
* Highlight potential for further replication and financial feasibility
Individuals and teams are eligible to submit their projects through the online form at ashrae.org/lowerGWP.
Winners will be announced at Montreal Protocol events and ASHRAE conferences. ASHRAE and UNEP will disseminate information about selected
innovations to raise awareness in developing countries. For inquiries, contact: Mark Owen, ASHRAE (mowen@ashrae.org), or W. Stephen Comstock,
UNEP (steve.comstock@un.org).
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ASHRAE Journal - July 2024

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