Chile. The Ministry of the Environment of Chile, through the Ozone Unit, held the award ceremony of the Women in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning contest, at the Centro Parque Events Center, in the city of Santiago.
This contest recognizes companies that stand out for promoting gender equality, especially in technical and sales roles within the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.
The organisers emphasised the crucial role of these sectors in the context of the fight against climate change. The optimisation of refrigeration and air conditioning systems implies a significant reduction in energy consumption and GHG emissions, and an improvement in people's quality of life and well-being. This competition also seeks to promote the adoption of environmentally sustainable and efficient practices in the sector, aligning with global mitigation objectives.
The Undersecretary of the Environment, Maximiliano Proaño Ugalde, said: "Refrigeration and air conditioning are fundamental for our quality of life and for the economy, involving everything from the preservation of food and medicines to the thermal regulation of our work and residential spaces. However, these systems also pose a significant challenge to our environment, due to their intensive energy consumption and reliance on refrigerant gases that often contribute to global warming."
Claudia Paratori, coordinator of the Ozone Unit, added that "this contest celebrates the efforts of those who are making meaningful change in our communities. We are motivated by the positive impact these inclusive and sustainable practices are having on both our environment and society."
The official also indicated that the contest symbolizes a crucial advance in the fight for gender equality in STEM fields, where women have historically been underrepresented. By fostering and recognizing female talent in these areas, she said, a diversity of perspectives vital to innovation and environmental resilience is ensured.
