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FARMINGTON, Conn., May 28, 2010 –
Twenty-five years ago this month, three
scientists published an article in
Nature magazine alerting the world to
the discovery of a hole in the Earth’s
stratospheric ozone layer. This discovery
triggered action by governments, industry,
and environmentalists around the world and
contributed to the Montreal Protocol
agreeing to phase-out the production and
consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) used as
refrigerants in air conditioning and
refrigeration systems. Carrier Corp.
pioneered the phase-out of CFCs for the air
conditioning and refrigeration industry in
1994, two years ahead of U.S. requirements
and 16 years before mandates in developing
countries. Since then, Carrier has continued
to develop cutting-edge sustainable products
and solutions and has been recognized for
its leadership in environmental stewardship.
Carrier Corp., a world leader in heating,
air-conditioning and refrigeration
solutions, is a unit of United Technologies
Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
“Life on Earth only began once the ozone
layer was in place to shield harmful
radiation from the sun,” explained John
Mandyck, Carrier’s vice president for
Sustainability & Environmental Strategies.
“The discovery of ozone depletion and the
rapid response by governments and industry
around the world are widely credited with
averting a global environmental and health
crisis. We congratulate the Montreal
Protocol for its great success.”
“Carrier is proud to have done its part in
leading the air conditioning and
refrigeration industry to a non-ozone
depleting future,” added Geraud Darnis,
president of Carrier Corp.
The
Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987 as a
global environmental treaty to eliminate
ozone depleting substances. The Protocol
phased-out CFC production for developed
countries in 1996 and developing countries
starting in January of 2010. The Protocol
also requires all HCFCs to be phased-out in
new systems in 2020 for developed countries
and 2030 for developing countries. Because
CFCs are also strong global warming gasses,
the Montreal Protocol is credited as a
significant vehicle for slowing global
warming emissions. According to a 2007 study
published in the Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences, the
Montreal Protocol will have five to six
times more benefit in reducing climate
change than the current Kyoto Protocol.
Carrier continues its commitment to
sustainability today with the development of
next generation systems using refrigerants
that further reduce environmental impact.
“Carrier has the right refrigerant solution
for every application, but every application
will not have the same refrigerant
solution,” said Mandyck. For example,
Carrier’s CO2OLtecTM food retail
refrigeration system uses natural
refrigerant carbon dioxide and is installed
at more than 100 sites across Europe. The
system delivers up to 10 percent higher
energy efficiency in cooler climates
compared to conventional refrigerants.
Carbon dioxide as a refrigerant is non-ozone
depleting with minimal global warming
potential. The cumulative global warming
savings to date of the CO2OLtecTM systems
installed by Carrier are equivalent to
removing 10,800 cars from the road.
For
its leadership in ozone protection and
energy efficiency, Carrier has been the
recipient of numerous local and national
environmental awards. In 2007, Carrier
received the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's Best-of-the-Best Stratospheric
Ozone Protection award in recognition of its
achievements in helping restore the earth's
ozone layer. In 2008, Carrier’s commercial
refrigeration business in the United Kingdom
was awarded the Environmental Pioneer in
Cooling Award for its CO2OLtecTM system
utilizing natural refrigerant. In 2009, for
the third consecutive year, the Government
of India's Ministry of Power awarded Carrier
India First Prize for the National Energy
Conservation Awards in the Consumer Goods
Manufacturing Sector. Also in 2009, Carrier
Korea was the recipient of the Korea
Outstanding Green Energy Company Award in
the environmental management category for
the second consecutive year – the only air
conditioning company to receive this award.
“At
Carrier, we believe green products must
start at a green company that demonstrates
measurable results in four key areas:
products, people, production and practices.
We extend our influence across the value
chain to reduce, and where possible
eliminate, negative effects on our
environment created by factories, products
and suppliers,” said Mandyck.
For
more than 20 years Carrier has led with
sustainable solutions to advance energy
efficiency and ozone protection, while
minimizing the environmental impact of its
manufacturing operations. From 1997 through
2006, Carrier doubled its revenues but held
energy use flat. Starting in 2007, the
company pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas
footprint by 3 percent each year. In 2009,
Carrier factories in Charlotte, N.C. and
Huntington, Ind. became only the 10th and
11th in the world at that time to receive
the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED®
green building rating for existing
buildings. Extending its leadership to the
global community, Carrier is the only
company in the world to be a founding member
of the U.S., China, and India Green Building
Councils.
“Carrier will continue to serve as an
environmental steward, finding both large
and small ways to make the world a better
place to live. The company is focused on
delivering environmentally responsible
energy efficient systems, services and
solutions to the world.” Mandyck stated.
About
Carrier Corp.
Headquartered in Farmington, Conn.,
Carrier Corp. is the world's largest
provider of heating, air-conditioning and
refrigeration solutions, with operations in
more than 170 countries. Carrier is part of
United Technology Corp., a Hartford,
Connecticut-based provider of products and
services to the aerospace and building
systems industries worldwide. Visit
www.carrier.com for more information.
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