Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 3 February 2019: ASHRAE and UN Environment are accepting entries for a jointly established international award programme to promote the innovative designs, research and practices of low-GWP alternative refrigerants and related technologies, the two bodies announced in a Press communiqué.

The Lower-GWP Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Innovation Award annually recognises people who have developed or implemented innovative technological concepts applied in developing countries to innovative designs, research and practices that minimise global warming potential (GWP) through refrigerant management, the communiqué said.

Commenting on the award, Sheila J. Hayter, President, ASHRAE, said, “We look forward to seeing entries from innovators who are committed to sustainability through the development and implementation of a new generation of low-GWP efficient solutions.”

According to ASHRAE and UN Environment, first-place and honourable citation awards will be presented in two categories:

• Residential Applications
• Commercial/Industrial Facilities

The communiqué said the winners in each category will be selected based on innovative solutions for designs, practice or research, using lower-GWP technologies. The communiqué further said the selection will take into account the following criteria:

• Extent of need;
• Innovative aspects in transforming conventional practices;
• Technical replicability to developing countries; and
• Economy feasibility to developing countries.

The communiqué said entries for the 2019 awards will be accepted until May 15, 2019. The communiqué further said that winning projects will be publicised by both organisations, and first-place recipients will receive a stipend to receive their award at a UN Environment event. For more information, visit: ashrae.org/lowergwp.