In this editorial, Markus Lattner, Managing Director of Eurovent Middle East, discusses how cooling has taken centre stage during COP28, UNEP’s invitation for the association to co-organise two side events and how the HVACR Leadership Academy contributes to broader sustainability efforts.

COP28 has concluded a year that has seen new weather extremes all around the globe, from a dry fall of the Amazon River to record low levels of the Panama Canal, creating a big headache for the global supply chain once again. Within the MENA region, we have had catastrophic floods in Libya and Somalia, reminding us that there is not any place in the world we could feel safe from climate change.

Average temperature rises have surpassed 2 degrees C in a number of regions around the globe, with unprecedented heat all around. Only the most ignorant can still deny that humanity is up against its greatest task: keeping global warming to a minimum. The 1,5 degree C target set by the Paris Agreement is not realistic anymore, as many scientists already predict temperature increases of 2 degrees C and beyond.

One could cynically say these are fantastic news for our industry, as we will see demand for cooling soaring in the coming decades. The truth is we need to double our efforts in reducing the carbon footprint of the HVACR sector. For the first time, cooling has taken centre stage during the world’s largest climate change conference, COP, with 63 countries signing up for the Global Cooling Pledge. Eurovent Middle East was invited by UNEP to co-organise two side events, one on low-emission cooling in HAT countries and one on the need for certification not only of products but also of people.

The talks and demand for education and training have been ubiquitous in the discussions at COP and other UN events, and all I could wonder was, how, if this is such a badly needed thing, is not anyone doing it? Eurovent Middle East has once more made a huge impression when, as an answer to these talks, I could stand up and present the HVACR Leadership Academy. Simple and straightforward. We are working to provide the training and knowledge development the market needs.

This is leadership by example. Eurovent Middle East, as the joint efforts of all its members, is taking the lead in one of the most critical requirements for the reduction of carbon emissions. Not because we have nothing else to do or to make a profit but because we all acknowledge our responsibility towards change and see the great benefits an informed, well-trained, and educated professional market environment will provide for the people, the region, and the planet.

Best regards,

Markus Lattner
Managing Director
Eurovent Middle East