ASHRAE and UNEP Approve Two-Year Work Plan Focused on Life Cycle Refrigerant Management
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Karen Buckley Washington
Associate Manager – Public Relations
kbwashington@ashrae.org
ASHRAE President Bill McQuade and UNEP’s OzonAction Head Jim Curlin sign two-year work plan
ASHRAE and UNEP Approve Two-Year Work Plan Focused on Life Cycle Refrigerant Management
ATLANTA (February 19, 2026) – ASHRAE and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have approved a new two-year work plan titled Life Cycle Refrigerant Management (LCRM), reinforcing their long-standing partnership to advance sustainable refrigerant practices worldwide. The plan was adopted during the 2026 ASHRAE Winter Conference in Las Vegas.
As the refrigerating and air-conditioning (RAC) industry transitions to alternative refrigerants, comprehensive management across the full refrigerant life cycle, from production and installation to recovery, reuse and disposal, has become increasingly critical. Some legacy refrigerants can deplete the ozone layer if released, while certain alternatives introduced to replace them have high global warming potential (GWP). Effective life cycle refrigerant management helps reduce emissions, improve system efficiency and enhance safety for technicians and communities.
Since 2007, ASHRAE and UNEP have collaborated to support developing countries in transitioning to non-ozone-depleting refrigerants. Biennial work plans guide the development of joint technical resources and educational products to assist engineers, technicians, policymakers and National Ozone Units in meeting obligations under the Montreal Protocol while advancing energy efficiency goals.
The newly approved work plan includes:
- RAC Technicians Field Companion – An AI-powered, multilingual mobile application based on the Assessing RAC Plant Sustainability technical guide. The tool will provide real-time, context-aware guidance and automated documentation to support safe, practical implementation of life cycle refrigerant management practices.
- Fact Sheets on Life Cycle Refrigerant Management and Energy-Efficient RAC – A series of briefing documents covering topics such as the benefits of LCRM, conducting energy audits, safe use and handling of flammable refrigerants, and understanding regulatory requirements.
- Updates to ASHRAE–UNEP OzonAction Joint Products – Evaluation and enhancement of existing educational resources to incorporate life cycle refrigerant management guidance, including:
- Energy Efficiency Literacy online learning modules
- Refrigerants Literacy online learning modules
- University Course Pack for engineering instructors
- Assessing RAC Plant Sustainability checklists and guidance sheets
- Refrigerant Update Factsheet listing refrigerants with ASHRAE R designations, safety classifications and GWP
- Lower GWP Award case studies highlighting replicable, cost-effective projects in developing countries
“Life cycle refrigerant management is essential to achieving global climate goals,” said 2025-26 ASHRAE President Bill McQuade, P.E., CDP, Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP. “Even small refrigerant leaks reduce system efficiency and increase emissions. By emphasizing proper design, installation, maintenance and monitoring, LCRM improves safety, lowers energy use and reduces both direct and indirect emissions. It also strengthens local economies by supporting skilled jobs in refrigerant recovery, recycling and compliance.”
Jim Curlin, Head of UNEP’s OzonAction Branch, noted that the partnership bridges global environmental policy with technical standards and industry practice. “The collaboration provides specialized tools and services that help developing countries manage refrigerants responsibly, meet Montreal Protocol obligations and advance energy efficiency,” Curlin said. “ASHRAE contributes technical expertise in codes, standards and guidance for refrigerant use, while UNEP supports deployment aligned with global environmental goals.”
Jim Wolf, Presidential Member ASHRAE and co-chair of the ASHRAE–UNEP Liaison Group, emphasized the importance of safety during the refrigerant transition. “Some next-generation refrigerants are mildly flammable and require updated system design and handling practices,” Wolf said. “Life cycle refrigerant management helps ensure safe installation, operation, recovery and disposal under evolving standards.”
The work plan and access to joint ASHRAE–UNEP resources are available at ashrae.org/ashrae-unep-portal.
About ASHRAE
ASHRAE is an international society of more than 50,000 heating, refrigerating and air-conditioning professionals from over 132 nations dedicated to serving humanity and promoting a sustainable world.
Founded in 1894, ASHRAE is an industry leader in research, standards writing, publishing, certification and continuing education, ASHRAE its members are dedicated to promoting a healthy and sustainable built environment for all, through strategic partnerships with organizations in the HVAC&R community and across related industries.
The Society is showcasing integrated building solutions and sustainability in action through the opening of the ASHRAE Global Headquarters building in metro-Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information and to stay up-to-date on ASHRAE, visit ashrae.org, connect on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X and YouTube or download the ASHRAE 365 app to stay connected on the go.
About OzonAction of the United Nations Environment Programme
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. As an Implementing Agency of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, UNEP through OzonAction assists 147 developing countries to meet and sustain their compliance obligations under that treaty. Visit UNEP OzonAction page unenvironment.org/ozonaction/.
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