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 the following:

 

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 the following:

 

 

“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.