Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) are the bedrock of the fight against climate change. Buildings consume around 40% of the global energy, annually, of which approximately 60% is used to power HVACR systems. Suffice to say, any improvement in the HVACR sector would not only positively reduce the emission of greenhouse gases but also accelerate the journey towards net-zero, an increasingly popular buzzword.

Incepted in 2011, the Climate Control Awards, with a legacy of 11 years, has been evaluating, validating and recognising the best practices of the HVACR industry in the GCC region. In this time frame, more than 300 awards have been distributed and tens of HVACR-related companies recognised for their leadership and performance. Such companies include manufacturers and managers of HVACR equipment, contractors, consultants, developers, and operation and maintenance (O&M) service providers, amongst others. In addition, the Climate Control Awards has recognised pioneering individuals and innovations. The event has annually brought together captains of the HVACR industry and is a much-sought-after, black-tie extravaganza for the industry.

Sougata Nandi

Having been associated with the Climate Control Awards from its very inception quite regularly as a Jury Member and often as the Chairman, I have had the privilege of witnessing some of the pathbreaking and industry transforming developments that subsequently became routine industry applications. These range from Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology, which made its advent in the mid-2010s, to smart cooling systems, which have been widely used on mass scale during the Haj pilgrimage. From small projects, with unique application of HVACR technology and design strategy, to large-scale District Cooling projects, using seawater for cooling purposes, the Climate Control Awards has had the privilege of evaluating diverse range of submissions.

The journey of 11 years for the Climate Control Awards has also been extremely rewarding and challenging. While the first edition had only three Jury Members and a relatively straightforward entry scoring and evaluating process, over the years many more Jury Members were incorporated. The diverse set of Jury Members represent all dimensions of the HVACR industry, bringing a 360-degree oversight of the individual categories and their respective submissions. Commensurate with the evolving nature of the HVACR industry, coupled with the GCC region’s National Strategies on Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals, the evaluation process of companies, technologies and projects have also evolved and become multi-dimensional and robust. In order to ensure that adequate and appropriate checks and balances are administered during the evaluation process, the Climate Control Awards also embeds an external auditor each year. This makes the evaluation process thorough, transparent and testing for each entry, ensuring that the ultimate winners are each vetted appropriately and are, indeed, deserving of the Awards.

The 2022 edition of the Climate Control Awards promises to be equally diligent, while aiming to bring a unique flavour to the evaluation process. As Chairman of the Climate Control Awards, it is my utmost privilege to invite all HVACR practitioners and industry captains to participate wholeheartedly in this year’s Awards. Please do utilise this opportunity to showcase your and your corporation’s achievements over the past year in the domains of innovation, commitment to ESG, energy efficiency and indoor air quality and, most importantly, your contribution to the fight against climate change.

Best wishes to all participants. Looking forward to seeing you on the winning podium at the Climate Control Awards night, later this year.