EARTH Researchers Publish New Review on Sustainable Cooling

Lawrence, KS — June 17, 2026 — Researchers from the NSF Engineering Research Center, Environmentally Applied Refrigerant Technology Hub (EARTH), headquartered at the University of Kansas, have published a new article in the Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering outlining a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable refrigerant technologies.

Led by Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Ph.D. student Emmanuel Ababio and co-authored by David R. Corbin and Mark B. Shiflett, the review highlights the urgent need to transform global cooling systems, which currently account for more than 10% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.

The publication examines how international policies, including the Kigali Amendment, are accelerating the transition away from high global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerants, while evaluating emerging alternatives such as natural refrigerants, low-GWP synthetic options, and next-generation cooling technologies.

Importantly, the work emphasizes that achieving sustainable cooling will require a systems-level approach, combining new materials, advanced system design, digital technologies, and lifecycle management strategies.

This review highlights EARTH’s leadership in advancing innovative, energy-efficient, and responsible solutions for the future of refrigeration through comprehensive analysis of emerging technologies and pathways.

Read Their Full Review: Sustainable Refrigerants, Policy Drivers, and Emerging Technologies