IIAR

IIAR has signed memorandums of understanding with the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) and the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC). Schrift said MOUs are important in documenting a board-approved framework that allows IIAR and other organizations to work together on mutually beneficial projects. “In general, IIAR signs MOUs with organizations that share a vision that matches or overlaps with IIAR’s goal to promote the use of natural refrigerants,” Schrift said.

IIR focuses on the global need for cooling and providing it in an efficient and sustainable manner. While they are not specifically devoted to only natural refrigerants, they have and do recognize that the world is moving towards naturals and that governments are regulating the use of many synthetic refrigerants. “IIR has historically provided education and conferences devoted entirely to the use of ammonia and CO2 as a refrigerant,” Schrift said. “IIR’s worldwide presence at the governmental level can provide IIAR access to more groups in our promotion of all-naturals.”

In addition, Schrift said IIAR’s expertise in education, standards and expositions can support IIR as they continue to advocate for efficient, safe, and sustainable cooling in the world, including very preliminary discussions for a joint IIR-IIAR conference and exposition in Europe beginning in 2027. NASRC shares IIAR’s mission to promote natural refrigerants. “IIAR has been a longtime partner in our common mission to support the successful adoption of natural refrigerants. This MOU formalizes our collaboration and reflects the growing need in the refrigeration industry for future-proof solutions,” said Danielle Wright, executive director of NASRC.

Schrift said their strength in and focus on the use of CO2 in commercial applications compliments IIAR’s overall mission to promote ammonia, CO2, propane, and all-natural refrigerants. Additionally, NASRC has joined some of IIAR’s task forces and committees
and can support the committees’ efforts through their expertise in the practical use of CO2 and through the knowledge from the NASRC members.

“NASRC’s focus on education for technicians on servicing and operating CO2 refrigeration systems helps prepare the world for a change to naturals,” Schrift said. “So, IIAR’s work in developing CO2 standards recognized by building codes and NASRC’s work in expanding the workforce to be able to support more CO2 systems are quite complimentary.”

NASRC was recently selected as the third-party administrator for the $65 Million California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Fluorinated Gas Reduction Incentive Program. “The goal of FRIP is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the commercial and industrial refrigeration sector by replacing existing high global warming potential refrigerants with ultra-lowGWP refrigerants,” Wright said.

She added that FRIP is funded partially through the State’s GeneralFund and partially through California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment, particularly in disadvantaged communities.