Kjeld Staerk, president of Danfoss Global Services, has been elected chairman of the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE).

Kjeld Staerk

"This is an exciting time for our industry, and we have a great opportunity to move further towards sustainable refrigeration, cooling and heating solutions," Staerk says. He was voted into the chairman's position by the EPEE steering committee.

"EPEE member companies have enormous technological potential and are committed to actively reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Staerk says. "EPEE ensures that our industry's voice is united and strong and that it will be heard and taken into account at the European political level."

EPEE and its members are determined to reduce the global climate impact of refrigeration, air-conditioning and heating systems by supporting energy efficient, environmentally and economically viable and safe technologies. This includes a commitment to increasing energy efficiency, and providing support of an orderly phase-down of HFC refrigerants.

"EPEE is a very strong organization with laudable goals. Kjeld's election as EPEE Chairman provides another opportunity to be at the forefront of international efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce the impact of high GWP refrigerants on the environment," adds Robert Wilkins, president, Danfoss North America.

"EPEE's reputation as a leader in these efforts and its stated priorities ­ to promote energy efficiency in the HVACR sector and to promote the most efficient and sustainable refrigerant choices ­ supports Danfoss' focus on innovative, energy-efficient technology and public policy, both domestic and international, that encourages an energy-efficient built environment," Wilkins says.