Founded by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, the alliance strives to persuade people about the importance, urgency and feasibility of adopting and implementing effective, comprehensive solutions to the climate crisis. The alliance's goals are fourfold:

1. Move the U.S. past a "tipping point" on the major issues surrounding global climate change.
2. Create a critical mass of public opinion to support U.S. participation in an international effort to enact a new, greenhouse-gas reduction treaty.
3. Generate overwhelming support for new American leadership in international efforts to solve the climate crisis.
4. Persuade stakeholders to quickly and meaningfully reduce their own global warming pollution, or "carbon footprint."

The alliance is partially funded through profits from Gore's Oscar-winning film, "An Inconvenient Truth." In December, Gore accepted the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to raise awareness about the global climate crisis. www.climateprotect.org

The report made many conclusions. Among the most significant: Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea water. Eleven of the last 12 years (1995-2006) rank among the 12 warmest years in the instrumental record of global surface temperatures. The temperature increase is widespread over the globe, and is greater at higher northern latitudes. Land regions have warmed faster than the oceans. The report has wide-ranging implications. While it adds scientific credibility to the concept of global climate change, it will also likely spur countries, legislators and the world's people to take decisive action. The fourth assessment report was approved Nov. 17, 2007 in Valencia, Spain. www.ipcc.ch

The "Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer" is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion. HCFC refrigerants are among those substances. HCFC refrigerants, most notably R-22, are widely used in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. During the 19th meeting of the United Nations to the Montreal Protocol, held in September, the following was determined: Developed (non-Article 5) countries agreed to reduce production and consumption of HCFCs by 75 percent by 2010 and by 90 percent by 2015, with final phaseout set for 2020. In addition, developed (Article 5) countries agreed to reduce production and consumption of HCFCs by 1 percent by 2010, by 35 percent by 2020 and by 67.5 percent by 2025, with final phaseout scheduled for 2030. www.unep.org/themes/ozone/?page=home

The Asia-Pacific Partnership is a public-private partnership involving the U.S., Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Those seven countries represent more than half of the world’s population and more than half of the world’s economy and energy use. The partners are committed to “enhance cooperation to meet both our increased energy needs and associated challenges, including those relating to air pollution, energy security and greenhouse gas intensities.” Focus areas include energy efficiency, clean coal, natural gas, bioenergy, methane capture/use, civilian nuclear power, geothermal, agriculture/forestry, rural/village energy systems, advanced transportation, hydro/wind/solar power and building/home construction/operation. The partners met Oct. 15, 2007, in New Delhi, India, to officially welcome Canada into the organization and recognize the partnership's successes. The partners agreed on a flagship portfolio of 18 projects and activities that best exemplify the partnership's achievements. www.asiapacificpartnership.org

Launched in August 2006, CCI applies the foundation's business-oriented approach to the fight against climate change in practical, measurable and significant ways. CCI is working with the C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group to develop and implement a range of actions that will accelerate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, CCI is organizing a purchasing consortium that will help cities buy energy-efficient technologies at lower prices and create a measurement and information tool to assist cities in taking an inventory of energy use, thereby directing future activities. CCI will continue to share best practices and develop programs to help cities reduce energy consumption and use cleaner energy. www.clintonfoundation.org

Both initiatives outline specifications that are equal to or higher than specs established under the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR program. The High-Efficiency Commercial Central AC & Heat Pumps initiative began using Tier 2 as its minimum performance level in July 2002. In 2007, the CEE changed Tier 2 to Tier 1, under which equipment is 22% more efficient than the federal standard. The High-Efficiency Residential Central AC & Heat Pumps initiative uses Tier 2. For split systems, the minimum specs are: 15 SEER, 12.5 EER and 8.5 HSPF. For packaged equipment, the minimum specs are: 14 SEER, 12 EER and 8 HSPF. In 2007, the CEE adopted a specification of energy-efficient installation practices for residential and light-commercial HVAC systems. The CEE periodically reviews and updates specifications based on market conditions. www.cee1.org

The EU has agreed to stop using R-22 refrigerants in existing systems by Dec. 31, 2014. Service on existing systems will be restricted to recycled R-22 on Dec. 31, 2009. Currently, R-22 is prohibited from use in all new cooling, air-conditioning and heat pump systems. HCFC refrigerants, most notably R-22, are widely used in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. The EU offers two refrigerants as R-22 substitutes. Forane FX 100 requires one oil draining, and it must be replaced by a POE lubricant. ISCEON MO59/R417A, MO29/R422D and MO79/R422A are compatible with traditional and new lubricants, mineral oil, alkyl benzene and polyol ester. In most cases with ISCEON, a lubricant changeout isn't required during a retrofit. There are minimal issues with all four R-22 substitutes. For example, Forane FX 100 has a slightly higher global warming potential (1,830) than R-22 (1,700). www.eea.europa.eu/

The RoHS Directive bans placing on the EU market any newly manufactured electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed-to levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. The RoHS Directive applies to equipment and components supporting the HVACR and allied industries. The RoHS Directive and related regulations became effective July 1, 2006. http://www.rohs.gov.uk/

Similar to the RoHS Directive, the WEEE Directive focuses on the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment. The WEEE Directive complements the EU’s measures on landfill and waste incineration. The WEEE Directive applies to equipment and components supporting the HVACR and allied industries. The WEEE Directive went into effect in February 2003. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/weee_index.htm

The policy firmly commits the EU to a low consumption economy based on more secure, more competitive and more sustainable energy. Priority energy objectives involve ensuring the smooth functioning of the internal market in energy, security of strategic supply, concrete reductions in greenhouse gas emissions caused by the production or consumption of energy, and the EU's ability to speak with a single voice on the international stage. The policy will affect numerous stakeholders, including HVACR equipment manufacturers, energy producers, suppliers, users and consumers. In March 2007, the EU's Heads of State and Government adopted a comprehensive energy action plan, which includes the new policy. europa.eu

The AIA supports federal, state and local legislation and tax incentives that encourage and aid the construction of high-performance buildings. At the federal level, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 established a tax deduction for expenses related to the design and installation of energy-efficient commercial building systems. A building owner may claim a tax deduction for expenditures made as part of a building designed to reduce the total annual energy used in its operation. Building owners can claim a tax deduction of up to $1.80/square foot for installing systems that reduce total energy and power costs by 50% of more. AIA is urging Congress to make the tax deduction permanent or at least extend it beyond the current deadline (Jan. 1, 2009). www.aia.org/adv_commercialbuilding_taxdeduction

Standard 55-2004 specifies the combinations of indoor space environment and personal factors that will produce thermal environmental conditions acceptable to 80 percent or more of the occupants. Specifically, the standard addresses environmental factors such as temperature, thermal radiation, humidity and air speed as well as personal factors like activity and clothing. The standard also covers requirements for unitary air-conditioners, air-conditioning units, heat pumps and other HVAC equipment. Standard 55 is not currently under revision, but ASHRAE often revises standards based on market conditions. www.ashrae.org Search Standard 55.

Standard 62.1-2004 specifies minimum ventilation rates and indoor air quality that will be acceptable to human occupants and are intended to minimize the potential for adverse health effects. Standard 62.2-2004 defines the roles of and minimum requirements for mechanical and natural ventilation systems and the building envelope intended to provide acceptable IAQ in low-rise residential buildings. It is the only nationally recognized IAQ standard developed solely for residences. Standard 62.1 is intended for regulatory application to new buildings, additions to existing buildings and those changes to existing buildings that are identified in the standard. Standard 62.2 requires source-control measures that exhaust pollutants from specific rooms before the pollutants enter the rest of the household. Both standards also cover requirements for unitary air-conditioners, air-conditioning units, heat pumps and other HVAC equipment. Standards 62.1 and 62.2 aren't currently under revision, but ASHRAE often revises standards based on market conditions. www.ashrae.org. Search Standards 62.1 and 62.2.

As the latest version of ASHRAE’s ever-evolving energy code, Standard 90.1 is the basis for some state energy codes governing the design of new buildings and major renovations. Written to allow easy incorporation into specifications for new buildings and renovations, the standard lays out minimum requirements for a building’s envelope, electrical power systems and equipment, lighting, heating, ventilating and air conditioning, service, water heating and energy management. Standard 90.1-2007 is not currently under revision, but ASHRAE often revises standards based on market conditions. www.ashrae.org. Search Standard 90.1."

The new standard provides minimum energy efficiency requirements for the design and construction of new residential dwelling units and their systems, new portions of residential dwelling units and their systems, and new systems and equipment in existing dwelling units. The standard applies to the building envelope, heating equipment and systems, air-conditioning equipment and systems, domestic water-heating equipment and systems, and provisions for overall building design alternatives and trade-offs. Adopted in 2007, the standard supersedes Standard 90.2-2004. www.ashrae.org. Search Standard 90.2

Launched in 2006, Getting to Fifty is a new resource that helps designers, architects, owners and contractors achieve their goals of truly high-performance buildings. (“Fifty” refers to using 50% less energy in commercial buildings.) The Getting to Fifty database provides a central, online location for information on buildings that have successfully met or exceeded high-performance levels. In addition, Getting to Fifty provides detailed examples of how you can improve lighting efficiency in a variety of building types. In the past year, the NBI has added staff and initiated new strategies to support its mission. For example, the NBI is working with the U.S. Green Building Council to improve the energy efficiency aspects of LEED-certified buildings. www.gettingtofifty.org

Power Partners is a voluntary initiative under which the electric power sector will substantially reduce, avoid or capture CO2 emissions. The initiative was founded in 2003 between EEI and the U.S. Department of Energy. Electric utilities are working with DOE and their industry allies, including those in the HVACR industry, to reduce “power sector carbon intensity” by 3–5% this decade. In addition to Power Partners, EEI member companies have undertaken initiatives in areas such as natural gas and clean coal technology generation; additional nuclear power generation; new renewables, energy efficiency and demand-side management programs; methane recovery projects; and international partnerships. www.eei.org

13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the federally mandated minimum efficiency for all residential air conditioners and heat pumps manufactured since January 23, 2006. 13 SEER applies to all central cooling systems. The standard represents a 30% increase in efficiency over the previous standard of 10 SEER. The HVAC industry has been in transition to higher-efficiency equipment for several years, but this standard has still required significant changes in product design and manufacturing, as well as specific protocols in equipment installation to ensure that efficiency levels are met and can be maintained for the useful life of the equipment. The federal mandate went into effect January 23, 2006. Manufacturers continue to exceed the standard on high-performance equipment. http://www.energy.gov/news/1308.htm

Launched by President Bush in January 2006, the Advanced Energy Initiative recommends a 22 percent increase in clean-energy research. It calls for more investment in zero-transmission coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and wind technologies, and clean, safe nuclear energy. It also calls for new technologies to better power automobiles, including hybrid and electric cars. DOE is focusing on five pathways to transform energy: conservation, wind, nuclear, bioenergy and fusion. The U.S. is capable of producing 1 billion dry tons of biomass annually—enough for 60 billion gallons of ethanol, or 30 percent of today’s transportation fuel usage. In addition, the U.S., European Union, Japan, Russia, China, Korea and India have agreed to develop an International Thermal Energy Reactor for commercial fusion energy. DOE continues to pursue the five pathways to transform energy. www.science.doe.gov

In November 2007, DOE increased the energy efficiency standards for residential furnaces and boilers. The standards, which will become effective in 2015, will save some 0.25 quadrillion BTUs of energy over a 24-year period (2015-2038). DOE has determined that energy efficiency standards for residential non-weatherized and weatherized gas furnaces, mobile home gas furnaces, oil-fired furnaces, and gas- and oil-fired boilers are technologically feasible and economically justified. The standards will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7.8 million tons of carbon dioxide. The new standards will take effect in 2015. www.energy.gov

The initiative aims to diversify America's energy resources by spurring widespread commercialization and deployment of clean, solar energy technologies, providing long-term economic, environmental and security benefits. In November 2007, DOE announced it will invest $21.7 million in next-generation photovoltaic technology to help accelerate the widespread use of advanced solar power. DOE selected 25 projects, to be implemented by 15 universities and six companies. The photovoltaic technology initiative is subject to final project negotiations and congressional appropriations. www.energy.gov

Established in 1992, ENERGY STAR is a joint program between the U.S. EPA and Department of Energy that helps save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. ENERGY STAR applies to more than 35 product categories, including heating and cooling equipment, for residential, commercial and industrial use. EPA will continue to expand the ENERGY STAR program because of its environmental and economic benefits. www.energystar.gov

GreenChill is an EPA cooperative alliance with the supermarket industry and other stakeholders to promote the adoption of technologies, strategies and practices that reduce emissions of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases, and increase refrigeration system energy efficiency. The partnership focuses on refrigeration systems and equipment that use refrigerants such as HCFC-22, which will be phased out Jan. 1, 2010. The partnership meets regularly to promote supermarkets' adoption of alternative refrigeration technologies and reduce the total impact of supermarkets on ozone depletion and global warming. http://epa.gov/ozone/downloads/GreenChillFlyer.pdf (PDF - 540 KB)

Produced in conjunction with the Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute (ARI), the guide covers the responsible use of refrigerants, especially fluorocarbons. By minimizing refrigerant emissions, manufacturers not only conserve refrigerant supply, but they also contribute to both climate and ozone protection. The guide applies to refrigerant recovery and storage; operational practices for manufacturing, laboratories and plant air-conditioning systems; handling of wastes containing fluorocarbons; and the relocation of finished equipment from manufacturing plants to installation or warehousing facilities. The guide was developed following a 2005 survey of HVACR industry manufacturers. www.epa.gov/docs/ozone/snap/refrigerants/ARI_ResponsibleUseGuide.pdf (PDF - 253 KB)

The LEED Green Building Rating System™ is a nationally recognized benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED can be applied to every building type and phase of a building lifecycle. LEED gives building owners and operators tools to have a measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED-certified buildings: are leading the transformation of the built environment; are built as designed and perform as expected; have lower operating costs and increased asset value; are healthy and comfortable for their occupants; reduce waste sent to landfills; conserve energy and water; reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions; qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities; and demonstrate an owner’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility. The USGBC continues to revise the LEED Green Building Rating System based on market conditions. www.usgbc.org

Launched in November 2007, the program provides guidelines for green, residential remodeling of existing homes. It's the first program of its type in the U.S. Composed of best practices using a "whole house" approach, the guidelines will be supplemented by learning programs as well as print and electronic resources for building professionals and homeowners. Final guidelines will be released at "Interiors '08: The ASID Conference on Design," to be held in March in New Orleans. www.greenhomeguide.org

Registered Aug. 28, 2007, the amendment lays out 11 separate provisions, including proposed regulations for residential gas furnaces, gas unit heaters and dehumidifiers. As part of the amendment, the OEE wants to increase the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) standard to 90%. Consumers who install a 90% AFUE furnace would save $40 to $230 in annual energy costs. The amendment must meet regulatory and governmental approvals. oee.nrcan.gc.ca/english/index.cfm

Every state is doing something to promote energy efficiency through laws and regulations. ASE’s web site provides policy pages in areas such as appliance standards, energy efficiency funds, transportation initiatives, building codes, public benefits funds, legislation, cap and trade programs, and tax incentives. In addition to the state policy pages, ASE’s web site offers state-by-state tips to help consumers save money on their energy bills year-round. State laws and regulations are constantly changing, but you can stay current by subscribing to ASE’s State Energy Efficiency Policy Bulletin. This monthly electronic newsletter tracks legislative and regulatory energy efficiency policies, features a guest column highlighting energy efficiency innovations in the states, and includes an update on building code activity from the Responsible Energy Codes Alliance. http://www.ase.org/content/article/detail/2356

The proposal has three programmatic initiatives: 1. All new residential construction in California will be net-zero energy by 2020. 2. All new commercial construction in California will be net-zero energy by 2030. 3. The HVAC industry will be reshaped to ensure optimal equipment performance. (Net-zero energy means buildings will use no more energy over the course of a year than they produce through solar power or other energy production technologies.) If adopted, the proposal will have far-reaching implications for equipment manufacturers, distributors, contractors, utilities, building owners and homeowners, to name just a few stakeholders. The proposal was issued by Commissioner Dian Grueneich of the California Public Utilities Commission and Kim Malcolm, an administrative law judge in California. www.energy.ca.gov

Revised in October 2005, the Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Non-residential Buildings were established in 1978 in response to a legislative mandate to reduce California’s energy consumption. The standards are updated periodically to allow consideration and possible incorporation of new energy efficiency technologies and methods. The standards affect the design of the building envelope and HVAC, water-heating and lighting systems. The non-residential application covers hotels, motels and high-rise residential buildings (those higher than three stories), while the residential application addresses low-rise buildings (three stories or fewer). The new standards have been in effect since October 1, 2005. www.energy.ca.gov/title24/

Every state, as well as the District of Columbia, offers financial incentives to improve energy efficiency. Many state utilities provide incentives in the form of rebates, grants and loans. In Minnesota alone, there are 72 different utility rebate programs. Washington and California aren't far behind, with 62 and 60 utility rebate programs, respectively. The financial incentives cut across a variety of markets: residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural and non-profit. The incentives apply to numerous energy-efficient technologies, from heat pumps and air conditioners to lighting, controls, motors and variable-speed drives. New financial incentives are being developed almost daily nationwide. Check the DSIRE web site for the most current information. http://www.dsireusa.org/summarytables/FinEE.cfm?&CurrentPageID=7&EE=1&RE=1

The summit, hosted by Gov. Charlie Crist in July 2007, highlighted the state's initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase solar energy use and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Florida will develop a carbon scorecard for all state agencies and make state buildings and vehicles more energy efficient. The state will also establish a 21-member Governor's Action Team on Energy and Climate Change that will work to strengthen existing public-private partnerships and voluntary participation. What's more, FPL Group, one of the nation's largest electric utilities, will build a 300-megawatt solar-energy facility in Florida. Initiatives are under way across the state. www.myflorida.com

The green building program offers consulting, resources and education to help consumers and building owners buil