ATLANTA (19 February 2026) – ASHRAE and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have approved a new two-year work plan entitled ‘Lifecycle Refrigerant Management’ (LCRM), strengthening their long-standing partnership to promote environmentally responsible refrigerant practices worldwide. The plan was adopted during the 2026 ASHRAE Winter Conference in Las Vegas.
As the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) industry transitions to alternative refrigerants, comprehensive management throughout the refrigerant lifecycle, from production and installation to recovery, reuse and disposal, is becoming increasingly important.
Some legacy refrigerants can deplete the ozone layer if released, while some alternatives introduced to replace them have a high global warming potential (GWP). Effective lifecycle refrigerant management helps reduce emissions, improve system efficiency and enhance safety for technicians and communities.
Since 2007, ASHRAE and UNEP have worked together to support developing countries in their transition to non-ozone-depleting refrigerants.
Two-year work plans guide the development of joint technical resources and educational materials to help engineers, technicians, policymakers and national ozone units meet their obligations under the Montreal Protocol while advancing energy efficiency goals.
