Chile. The Climate Change Division of the Ministry of the Environment, through its Ozone Unit, presented the initiative that seeks to recognize the role of women in the HVAC industry.
Maisa Rojas, Minister of the Environment, highlighted the importance of this activity not only for the refrigeration and air conditioning sector, but also for the advancement of gender equality in all professional areas.
"This competition symbolizes a step forward towards inclusion in technical sectors, offering crucial visibility to women's contributions and promoting sustainable practices that benefit both our society and the environment," she said.
Similarly, Rojas emphasized the importance of the refrigeration and air conditioning sector in the current context of the fight against climate change, stating that the optimization of refrigeration and air conditioning systems can not only mean a significant reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, but also but also an improvement in people's quality of life and well-being.
In this way, the competition also seeks to promote the adoption of more sustainable and efficient practices in the sector, aligning with global mitigation objectives.
Criteria and Participation Process
The competition is open to all companies in the sector with operations in Chile, seeking to evaluate various aspects such as the percentage of female employees, the quality of the work environment, the existence of adequate infrastructure for their needs, training and development opportunities, the promotion of work-life balance, and their active participation in exemplary practices of sustainable refrigeration and air conditioning.
Registration begins on March 8 and will run until April 26, 2024, through the Ozone Chile Unit website. The invitation for companies is to submit their candidacies, sharing their success stories, inclusion policies and any other information that demonstrates their commitment to the promotion of women in the sector.
An evaluation committee, made up of industry experts and representatives of organizations dedicated to gender equality, will be in charge of reviewing all applications and selecting the finalist companies. The award ceremony will take place during the ExpoFrio Fair in May 2024.
According to the organizers, the contest gives companies the opportunity to be recognized for their gender equality policies and their efforts to create an inclusive work environment. In addition, it offers a platform to demonstrate leadership and commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
