In the wave of exploring sustainable development solutions in the global refrigeration and air conditioning industry, 2024 International Forum on Sustainable Development of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry was held in Hefei on September 11. It was co-sponsored by China Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association and Hefei General Machinery & Electrical Products Inspection Institute Co., Ltd.

The forum invited participants from government departments, leaders of global industry associations, senior executives of enterprises and industry experts. Guests included leaders of the Foreign Cooperation and Exchange Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the China Association of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry, the American Association of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AHRI), and the Brazilian Association of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating. Dr. Huang Ningjie, Chief Scientist of Sanhua Holding Group, and Dr. Gao Qiang, Sanhua Intelligent Controls, were invited to attend. In addition, senior leaders of well-known enterprises at home and abroad also participated in the event.

Dr. Huang Ningjie, Chief Scientist of Sanhua Holding Group, was invited to give a keynote report entitled “Driven by Change: Enterprise Practice for Sustainable Development” at the conference. From the perspective of global climate change and green transformation, he shared Sanhua’s active exploration in low-carbon technology innovation, energy efficiency improvement and refrigerant substitution.

01 Driven by Change: Mission of Enterprises in the Climate Crisis

Under the background of global climate change and increasingly severe resource and environmental constraints, it is the common responsibility of mankind to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. Mitigating climate change and achieving sustainable development are also the consensus of all mankind. Sanhua’s vision of “developing an intelligent low-carbon economy and creating a green quality environment” is highly consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Sanhua is committed to keeping the global average temperature rise well below 2°C and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C, by the end of this century through green, low-carbon and energy-efficient products and technologies.

02 Market transformation: a sustainable future driven by demand

The global climate is warming faster than expected, and environmental regulations will become increasingly stringent. Under the goal of corporate compliance, risk management and long-term sustainable development, global sustainable information disclosure is becoming compulsory. “Customer demand, Sanhua action”, under the requirement of “chain length” of international refrigeration and air-conditioning enterprises, Sanhua accelerated the construction of ESG management system, the release of ESG reports, greenhouse gas accounting, and CDP climate disclosure. At the same time, we should improve management in the whole value chain, build a “green strategy”, and promote energy conservation and emission reduction in the whole industry chain through scientific and technological innovation.

03 Green Innovation: Industry Trends and Technology Frontiers

At present, the refrigeration and air conditioning industry is facing three development trends: environmentally friendly refrigerants, efficiency improvement, and globalization. Dr. Huang Ningjie pointed out that these trends have brought greater opportunities for the internationalization of China’s refrigeration industry. At the same time, Sanhua has also done a good job in the development and technical reserve of A2L/A3 refrigerant components for the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry. With regard to global operation, Dr. Huang Ningjie introduced the practical experience of Sanhua. Through “sales go global”, “manufacturing goes global”, “R & D goes global” to “full value chain goes global”, transnational coordination and progress of global layout, the business strategy of “where the market is, where the customers are, where Sanhua is” has been realized, so as to meet customer needs.

04 Responsibility first; practice on standard

While gaining profits, enterprises should actively give back to society. Sanhua is deeply involved in the formulation of sustainable product standards, especially energy efficiency and green product design standards, and is making continuous efforts in carbon footprint accounting, environmental declaration, and product carbon footprint assessment to shoulder social responsibility. Overseas, Sanhua has established a production base in Mexico. In the past ten years, Sanhua has not only based itself on the local area, expanded the local market and created employment opportunities, but also actively participated in local community activities and charities, so as to achieve the goal of “taking from society and using for society”.

During the forum, Sanhua and Stephen Yurek, President and CEO of AHRI, Arnaldo Basile, CEO of the Brazilian Association of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating, Michael Perevozchikov, Senior technical specialist of Copeland Compressor, and other guests exchanged the latest progress in low-carbon technology innovation, refrigerant substitution and other fields.

Climate change has become one of the most pressing global challenges. “A time will come to ride the wind and cleave the waves, and I will set my cloud-like sail to cross the sea which raves.” Sanhua is willing to work hand in hand with all partners inside and outside the industry to contribute wisdom and strength to the construction of a global green, low-carbon and environmentally friendly refrigeration and air-conditioning industry!