Refrigerant Cycle Management: A Two-Year Plan to Support Climate Action

Refrigerant life cycle management is at the heart of a new global effort, with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) launching a two-year plan to improve practices, share guidance, and strengthen international technical cooperation.

The stated objective is to more systematically address the challenges related to the use, management and disposal of refrigerants , in a framework where the decarbonisation of the HVAC/R sector and environmental safety remain global priorities.

Why a two-year plan for refrigerants?

Refrigerants—essential for the operation of air conditioning, commercial, and industrial refrigeration systems—are also among the most significant contributors to indirect and, in some cases, direct greenhouse gas emissions due to fluid leaks. The two-year plan launched by UNEP and ASHRAE aims to develop a series of guidelines, training tools, and best practices to support governments, businesses, and professionals in improving refrigerant management throughout their lifecycle : from selection during the design phase, to maintenance, through to end-of-life and disposal.

The initiative's key themes include reducing emissions from refrigerant leaks, adopting standardized procedures for safe maintenance , promoting climate-friendly technologies , and disseminating up-to-date technical expertise . The plan also includes support activities for countries and sectors that need to strengthen their regulatory and operational capacities for refrigerant gas management.

Impacts and opportunities for the HVAC/R sector

For the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, the launch of a structured international process represents a significant opportunity to raise technical and compliance standards. The expected benefits of the two-year plan include:

• Greater deployment of consistent and verifiable management practices throughout the refrigerant life cycle , resulting in lower emissions and increased operational efficiency.
• Training materials and shared guidelines , useful for updating the skills of technicians, designers and operators and for promoting a consistent approach within the sector.
• An incentive to adopt alternative technologies and low environmental impact refrigerants , in line with global warming potential (GWP) reduction targets and evolving international regulations.

Collaboration between organizations like UNEP and ASHRAE also signals a greater focus on global climate and environmental policies, which require HVAC/R companies and operators to rapidly adapt skills, processes, and technologies to remain compliant and competitive.

Towards a more sustainable management of refrigerants

The two-year plan offers an opportunity to consolidate a more sustainable approach to refrigerant management, recognizing that the transition to low-impact technologies cannot ignore well-structured life cycle practices.

For companies in the sector, following the guidelines and participating in technical updating initiatives can facilitate not only compliance with future regulatory requirements but also the adoption of management models geared towards sustainability, energy efficiency, and operational safety.

Looking ahead, the joint efforts of international organizations such as UNEP and ASHRAE are helping to define a clearer, more shared framework for the evolution of the refrigeration sector, where refrigerant management is no longer a secondary component, but a central element for environmental sustainability and technological innovation.