Industry Titans Unite to Accelerate Green Refrigeration Transition

MILL VALLEY, CA – April 14, 2026 – In a landmark move to address the significant climate impact of commercial refrigeration, two of the industry's most influential bodies have joined forces. The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC), a nonprofit representing over 55,000 food retail locations, and ASHRAE, a global society of 50,000 engineering professionals, have announced a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed to accelerate the widespread adoption of climate-friendly natural refrigerants.

The strategic collaboration will focus on aligning research, developing industry-wide standards, and launching comprehensive workforce training initiatives. This partnership aims to dismantle the primary barriers that have slowed the transition away from potent greenhouse gases, known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are commonly used in supermarkets and cold storage facilities.

“This partnership strengthens the connection between technical standards, real-world industry experience and workforce needs,” said Danielle Wright, NASRC executive director. “By aligning research, education and outreach, NASRC and ASHRAE can provide the resources stakeholders need to navigate the transition to sustainable refrigerants confidently.”

The Urgent Push for Greener Cooling

The timing of this alliance is critical. The refrigeration and air conditioning sector is under increasing pressure from both regulations and corporate sustainability goals to decarbonize. Traditional HFC refrigerants, while not depleting the ozone layer like their predecessors, have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) that can be hundreds or thousands of times higher than that of carbon dioxide (CO2). Experts estimate that phasing down HFCs globally could prevent up to 0.5°C of global warming by 2100.

In the United States, the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act mandates an 85% phasedown in the production and consumption of HFCs by 2036. This federal directive is compelling industries, especially food retail, to seek out long-term, sustainable alternatives. Natural refrigerants—such as CO2 (R-744), ammonia (R-717), and hydrocarbons like propane (R-290)—have emerged as the leading solutions, offering near-zero GWP and often improved energy efficiency.

Despite their environmental benefits, adoption has been uneven. While Europe has over 90,000 food retail stores using natural refrigerant systems, driven by stricter F-gas regulations, North America is just beginning to scale up. As of early 2024, only about 5.8% of North American supermarkets had transitioned to transcritical CO2 systems, though this number represents a 40% increase from the previous year, signaling a market at a tipping point. This partnership seeks to transform that nascent growth into a full-scale industry shift.

Bridging the Critical Skills Gap

One of the most significant hurdles to the adoption of natural refrigerants is not the technology itself, but the lack of technicians trained to install and service it. Industry surveys consistently identify the workforce skills gap as the top barrier. Natural refrigerant systems operate differently than their HFC-based counterparts; CO2 systems, for example, function at much higher pressures, while hydrocarbons are flammable, requiring stringent safety protocols.

This is where the collaboration between ASHRAE’s standards leadership and NASRC’s industry network becomes pivotal. The MOU places a central focus on workforce development, calling for the joint exploration of online training modules, hands-on workshops, and new certification programs.

“ASHRAE is committed to helping the refrigeration industry transition to lower global warming potential refrigerant options while maintaining safety for building occupants and service technicians,” stated 2025-26 ASHRAE President Bill McQuade, P.E., CDP, Fellow ASHRAE, LEED AP. “The partnership with NASRC will provide an opportunity to leverage our knowledge and global reach to co-develop and deliver training materials that provide technicians with the skills to safely use low global warming refrigerant options.”

These initiatives aim to build a robust talent pipeline, preparing a new generation of refrigeration professionals for the green economy and providing clear career pathways in a rapidly evolving field. By standardizing training and certification, the partnership will give retailers the confidence to invest in new systems, knowing a qualified workforce exists to support them.

A Strategic Blueprint for Industry Transformation

The alliance represents more than just a training initiative; it is a strategic blueprint for market transformation. It combines ASHRAE’s authority in developing foundational technical standards, such as Standard 15 (Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems) and Standard 34 (Refrigerant Designation and Safety Classification), with NASRC’s deep engagement with the end-users who must implement these changes on the ground.

This synergy will help address other persistent barriers, including high upfront costs and system design complexities. By advancing “practical, field-informed solutions,” the organizations aim to drive innovation that makes natural refrigerant technology more accessible, scalable, and cost-effective. Already, major retailers like Aldi US and Kroger have made significant commitments, with Aldi planning to convert all of its 2,300+ stores by 2035 and Kroger installing CO2 systems in all new stores starting in 2025. This partnership will help more retailers follow suit.

By uniting their efforts, NASRC and ASHRAE intend to create a cohesive ecosystem where technical guidance, practical application, and workforce readiness are seamlessly integrated. This holistic approach ensures that the transition to sustainable refrigeration is not only swift but also safe, efficient, and built to last.

“This partnership is positioned to deliver meaningful benefits across the refrigeration ecosystem—from engineers and contractors to retailers, educators and policymakers,” Wright added.

Ultimately, the collaboration is set to create a virtuous cycle. Better standards and research will lead to more reliable technology, while a larger pool of skilled technicians will lower service costs and increase confidence. This, in turn, will encourage wider adoption, helping the industry meet its ambitious climate goals and paving the way for a more sustainable future.