Melville, NY — September 18, 2026 — On September 17, the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly 2026 was held in Singapore by the Cool Coalition, a global initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). At the conference, Martin Krause, Director of the Climate Change Division at UNEP, presented the inaugural “Cool Leaders” award to Dong Mingzhu, the Chairperson of GREE Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai.

The inaugural “Cool Leaders” awards were presented to two countries and one individual. The country awards were won by Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Grace Fu Hai Yien, Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, and Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, attended the event and received the awards. Dong Mingzhu was the only individual recipient this time, and also the first entrepreneur and the only Chinese representative selected to receive this honor. 

（Dong Mingzhu receiving the award together with Grace Fu Hai Yien and Sharif Al Olama at the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly）

It is learned that the “Cool Leaders” is a global recognition program initiated by the UNEP Cool Coalition, aiming to honor outstanding leaders who promote sustainable cooling and extreme heat disaster resilience across various fields such as policy-making, financial support, innovative practices, and implementation. Dong Mingzhu’s selection as the sole individual recipient underscores GREE’s technological prowess and exemplary role in sustainable refrigeration under her leadership. It also serves as a strong endorsement from the international community regarding China’s advancements in cooling technology and green innovation.

Facing the urgent global environmental challenges, Dong Mingzhu stated in her speech that proactive energy saving can reduce energy consumption, but the problems of the external environment have not been fundamentally resolved. GREE has always been committed to breakthroughs at the technical level. Starting from 2012, GREE has been researching how to solve our temperature problems without consuming energy. From the birth of the first generation of photovoltaic air conditioners to today’s perfect combination of photovoltaic, energy storage, and air conditioning, GREE has taken more than ten years. Now, it is almost possible to achieve zero electricity cost for cooling for a household.

（Dong Mingzhu speaking at the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly）

“With the global community calling for energy conservation and emission reductions, the manufacturing sector has an imperative duty to act. Technological innovation is the only way to further help reduce carbon emissions and achieve the expected goals. Innovation is the most important mission for our enterprise”, said Dong Mingzhu.

According to estimates, the global number of air conditioners is expected to reach 5.6 billion by 2050, nearly triple the current level. Extreme heat has become one of the most deadly and fastest-growing climate risks worldwide. Against this backdrop, achieving sustainable cooling requires joint efforts from technology, industry, and market stakeholders. At this conference, GREE officially joined the “Manufacturers Platform” convened by the Cool Coalition and operated by the United Nations Environment Programme. As a representative of manufacturers, GREE pledged to: accelerate the transition to inverter air conditioners and continuously improve product energy efficiency; accelerate the phase-out of high-GWP refrigerants and promote the application of ultra-low-GWP technologies; vigorously develop and promote energy-saving and carbon-reducing technologies.

（Martin Krause is presenting the “Cool Leaders” individual award to Dong Mingzhu）

Behind the commitment lies GREE’s years of technological accumulation in the field of sustainable refrigeration. GREE’s “zero carbon source” PV energy-storage air conditioning system has undergone more than ten years of iterative upgrades. Relying on the world’s first photovoltaic direct-driven inverter core architecture, this technology achieves an ultra-high DC conversion efficiency of 99%, transforming refrigeration equipment from “major power consumers” into “green power generators”. This technology has been deployed in 35 countries and regions worldwide, particularly in developing economies characterized by high temperatures, abundant sunshine, and diverse climatic conditions. Notably, projects in the Middle East alone reduce carbon emissions by 110,000 tons annually.

（Application of GREE photovoltaic air conditioners in overseas markets）

It is worth mentioning that the product standards for GREE’s photovoltaic air conditioners have also been incorporated into the IEC international standard system. Today, GREE offers more than just products and technologies; it holds a voice in setting industry standards, providing replicable and scalable comprehensive solutions for global building energy efficiency and low-carbon industrial transformation.

Since 2012, GREE has proposed the vision of “for the Clearer Sky and Greener Earth”. Adhering to China’s “Dual Carbon” goals and national policies on energy conservation and emission reduction, GREE remains committed to green manufacturing. The company continues to drive innovation across its entire value chain, fostering a comprehensive ecosystem that covers green equipment, smart energy, and low-carbon intelligent manufacturing. Relying on independently developed high-efficiency and energy-saving refrigeration equipment, industrial intelligent energy-saving systems, and zero-carbon park solutions, GREE has continuously empowered the green transformation of various industries.

（Application of GREE central air conditioners in overseas markets）

Winning the inaugural “ Cool Leaders” honor is not only a milestone in the company’s development but also establishes a new benchmark for the Chinese refrigeration industry to step onto the global stage. It stands as an important witness to China’s active participation in global climate governance.