GREE Chairperson Dong Mingzhu Receives UNEP Cool Leaders Award for Sustainable Cooling

bernamabiz.com

by policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 points

GREE Electric Appliances chairperson Dong Mingzhu received an inaugural Cool Leaders award from the UNEP Cool Coalition at the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly 2026 in Singapore. The award recognizes her work on climate-friendly air conditioning and GREE's Zero Carbon Source technology, which combines on-site power generation, intelligent energy use, and storage to reduce cooling-related emissions. Cooling is a fast-growing source of electricity demand, especially in tropical markets, and the Global Cooling Pledge launched at COP28 asks countries and companies to cut cooling emissions while expanding access. GREE says it will keep applying the technology across its product range, which reaches more than 190 countries and regions. The company has framed energy efficiency and lower carbon output as priorities since 2013.

4 comments

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Good to see cooling getting attention. AC demand is one of the fastest growing loads in hot countries, and efficiency improvements are a real decarbonization lever. Would be useful to know what share of GREE's sales actually use the Zero Carbon Source tech, since the award text doesn't say.

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

UNEP giving an award to an appliance maker is interesting. The Global Cooling Pledge is mostly about governments, so company-level recognition could push others to publish clearer efficiency and refrigerant plans. But the release leans on a slogan, not numbers.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

Zero Carbon Source sounds like solar plus storage plus a heat pump or AC. Fine, but what matters is installed cost and whether it performs in grid-tied buildings where export limits apply. Would like a technical spec sheet, not a press award.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

The Pledge matters because cooling demand is expected to grow fast in hot countries. Recognition is fine, but actual progress comes from efficiency standards and refrigerant phase-downs. Hopefully GREE's award translates into measurable commitments, not just branding.