ASHRAE and UNEP Join Forces to Promote Sustainable
Refrigeration in Facilities and Systems ATLANTA – ASHRAE and the United Nations
Environment Programme announced today a collaborative effort to develop and
publish a new Guide for Sustainable Refrigerated Facilities and Systems. This
$400,000 project is being jointly funded by ASHRAE and the Multilateral Fund
for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the
Ozone Layer and is scheduled to be completed in early 2014.
The Guide will address the entire range of facility and
equipment design and efficiency alternatives for refrigerated processing,
storage and distribution (the cold chain) in both developed and developing
countries. As global urbanization
continues, refrigerated storage and transport from farm to store is
critical. Food spoilage is a significant
sustainability problem particularly in least developed countries. Medicine storage and transportation is
likewise critical.
The Guide is also important as Parties to the Montreal
Protocol face upcoming compliance deadlines. For developing countries, that
means a freeze in HCFC consumption and production by Jan. 1, 2013, followed by
a 10 percent reduction in 2015 and 97.5 percent reduction by 2030. Currently,
HCFC-22 is the preferred refrigerant for many facilities and systems,
particularly for small-medium sized enterprises, but this ozone depleting gas
is being phased out under the Montreal Protocol. The Guide’s goal is to support
the selection of alternatives while maintaining or improving energy efficiency across
the entire cold chain and reducing the environmental footprint. That, in turn, supports countries’ compliance
with this international treaty and improves global sustainability.
“This is the largest collaborative project ASHRAE has
undertaken with UNEP and truly represents our global leadership approach to
solving society’s issues,” Ron Jarnagin, ASHRAE president, said. “We, with our
partner associations, look forward to working with UNEP on this extremely
important refrigeration guide.”
James Curlin, interim head of UNEP’s OzonAction Branch
notes: “The protection of the stratospheric ozone layer under the Montreal
Protocol has a long track record of meeting specific and measurable sustainable
development objectives, including contributing to Millennium Development Goal
7, ‘Ensuring Environmental Sustainability.’ This guide will help impart such
sustainability considerations to the owners and operators of refrigerated
systems and facilities in developing countries, and help them make informed
decisions about refrigerants, equipment and energy efficiency considerations.
We look forward to working with ASHRAE to deliver this strategic technical
guide.”
ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a building technology society
with more than 50,000 members worldwide. The Society and its members focus on
building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and
sustainability within the industry. Through research, standards writing,
publishing and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment
today.
UNEP is the United Nations system’s designated entity for
addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate
is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping
the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the
attention of governments and the international community for action.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the
Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by
phasing out the production and consumption of a number of substances believed
to be responsible for ozone depletion. The treaty was opened for signature on
Sept. 16, 1987, and entered into force on Jan. 1, 1989. Since then, it has
undergone five amendments, in 1990 (London), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1995 (Vienna),
1997 (Montreal) and 1999 (Beijing). Due to its widespread adoption and
implementation it has been hailed as an example of exceptional international
cooperation "Perhaps the single most successful international agreement to
date...”
The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the
Montreal Protocol is managed by an Executive Committee which is responsible for
overseeing the operation of the Fund. The 2012 Committee membership includes
Argentina, Belgium, Canada, China, Cuba, Finland, India, Japan, Jordan, Kenya,
Mali, Romania, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and United
States of America. Xiao Xuezhi (China)
is the current chair, and the Committee is assisted by the Fund Secretariat
which is based in Montreal, Canada. UNEP
is one of four Implementing Agencies of the Fund, along with UNDP, UNIDO and
the World Bank.
For more information, contact:
ASHRAE
Jodi Scott
Public Relations
678-539-1216
UNEP
Anne Fenner
Information Manager
UNEP OzonAction Programme
+33 1 4437 1454
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