On 26 June, individuals, governments, companies and other organizations celebrate World Refrigeration Day, which raises awareness about the significant role that refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pumps play in modern life.
The science, engineering, and application of cooling is at the heart of modern life. It makes hot climates habitable, allowing for the storage and delivery of fresh food. It gives us climate-controlled work and learning spaces, enabling the manufacture of products and the operation of data centres. And it preserves medicines, 50 percent of which must be stored in controlled temperatures. Refrigeration also contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals.
Much of the world's refrigeration and air conditioning equipment relies on gases that are controlled under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, notably, the hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HCFCs deplete the stratospheric ozone layer and HFCs are potent greenhouse gases. The environmental performance of this sector is key to the success of multilateral environmental agreements.
Since its launch, the United Nations Environment Programme’s OzonAction initiative has helped raise awareness in developing countries about the importance of refrigeration and air-conditioning and to elevate the profile of the Montreal Protocol.
The first World Refrigeration Day was celebrated in 2019 and it generated considerable momentum among the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector, National Ozone Units who are responsible for Montreal Protocol implementation in their countries, and other professionals around the world. This year's theme "Cold Chain 4 Life" highlights the importance of the Cold Chain and its vital role for food safety, food security, and protecting human health through medicine preservation.
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World Refrigeration Day is a great opportunity for all of us to celebrate the tremendous contribution that refrigeration and air conditioning make to our societies,” said James Curlin, Acting Head of OzonAction. “This includes enabling our agricultural and food systems to harvest, store, transport and sell the foods that nourish us all. The cold chain is what makes this possible."
According to the International Institute of Refrigeration, around 475 million tonnes of lost food could be saved every year, which could feed 950 million people.
“World Refrigeration Day is an opportunity to celebrate the wide range of temperature applications, from cryogenics and superconductors through to sustainable heating, thermal energy storage and heat recovery,” said Steve Gill, head of the World Refrigeration Day Secretariat.
To date, more than 300 companies and professional, scientific, and trade associations are supporters of World Refrigeration Day, and the number is growing. To be involved, find promotional materials and events, or to share ideas for initiatives, please visit www.worldrefrigerationday.org.
The organizers of the ColdChain4Life campaign are the World Refrigeration Day Secretariat, ASHRAE, European Partnership for Energy and Environment (EPEE), International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), Global Food Cold Chain Council (GFCCC) and UNEP.
For further details about the day please contact Anne Fenner.
