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Posted On: 07/17/2007

ASHRAE, United Nations partner on emission reduction

PlantServices.com

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE) have agreed to cooperate in several technical issues, such as assessing and addressing remaining chlorofluorocarbon-based chillers.

The two organizations also will promote sustainable activities in areas such as emissions reduction and energy-efficient systems and building design. In the mid-1980s, worldwide concern occurred over damage to the ozone layer from the use of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These substances have important applications, including refrigerants, heat transfer fluids and blowing agents for insulating foams.

"ASHRAE and the heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and refrigerating (HVAC&R) industry are responding to growing global demand for new technologies that do not contribute to ozone depletion and are energy-efficient,"  says Terry Townsend, ASHRAE president. "Energy efficiency is a key issue because the burning of fossil fuels to generate electric power is considered a major greenhouse gas emitter. By partnering with UNEP/DTIE, we can further our respective work by mutual exchange of technical guidance."

"Thirty months from now, CFCs will only be found in history books with a remaining burden to deal with thousands of tonnes banked in existing systems," says Rajendra Shende of UNEP. "An international debate was just also triggered about accelerated scenarios for phasing out HCFCs as well as the future of higher-global-warming HFC refrigerants. It’s quite clear that the HVAC&R industry has and will continue evolving rapidly to respond to such global concerns and movements. Joining hands with ASHRAE as a world-pioneering association in HVAC&R will definitely have its positive impact in addressing many clients with latest technologies and updates."

ASHRAE and UNEP previously collaborated on a smaller scale with the signing and implementation of a regional cooperation agreement between the UNEP regional office in West Asia and ASHRAE’s local chapters.