ASHRAE says the recent decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord does not change or alter the society’s commitment to a more sustainable global built environment.

"Our member-established mission underscores our mandate to serve humanity and create a more sustainable world," said ASHRAE President Tim Wentz. "ASHRAE is a global society of 57,000 dedicated professionals in more than 130 countries, committed to reducing the environmental impact of buildings by making them more energy efficient. Our mission will not waver as geopolitical tides rise and fall."

"Now, more than ever, ASHRAE affirms its mission to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world," Wentz says.

ASHRAE recently announced a $1.3 million investment in researching alternative low-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants.

"ASHRAE's work is based on research and science. The society will continue to establish best practice standards for the design and operation of buildings that have lower environmental impacts and concurrently optimize health and human comfort for occupants," said Wentz. "Our society remains dedicated to engineering excellence in environmental stewardship. In fact, the recent Paris Accord announcement makes the critical role of ASHRAE members in reducing the environmental impact of buildings more important than ever before."