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The Role of Refrigeration in the Global Economy 3rd edition, 60th IIR Technical Brief on Refrigeration Technologies.

Author(s) : BAHA M., HAMMAMI S., DUPONT J. L.

Type of article: Periodical article, Techincal Brief

Summary

2024 was the warmest year on record, surpassing the record of 2023 with a streak of exceptionally high monthly global mean temperatures. With the growing frequency and duration of extreme heatwaves and the challenges of global warming, sustainable refrigeration is a global necessity when addressing climate adaptation and mitigation. The refrigeration sector, which includes the cold chain for food and health products, air conditioning, cryogenics and heat pumps, is recognised within the United Nations as a development priority for its benefits to human life. Over 1.12 billion people globally — primarily among the rural and urban poor — face immediate risks due to a lack of access to refrigeration, which is crucial for reducing food loss and ensuring food availability to combat hunger and malnutrition. In this regard, access to refrigeration is a more sustainable solution than investing in large-scale food production, which carries significant energy and environmental costs.
Improving access to sustainable refrigeration solutions is also essential to mitigate the effects of severe heatwaves. Driven by a rising population, increasing incomes, and increasing global temperatures, the use of refrigeration is expanding dramatically, especially in the world’s emerging economies. As an essential component in countless sectors from food to healthcare, industry, information communication technology (ICT), and energy, refrigeration plays a key role in the economic and social development of every country. Refrigeration also contributes significantly to countries’ economic growth and global trade through sales of refrigeration equipment and the substantial workforce employed in the manufacturing, installation, maintenance and servicing of the refrigeration equipment.
This technical brief presents key figures illustrating the size and reach of the refrigeration sector and its importance to humankind, as refrigeration is intrinsically linked to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The brief aims to raise policymakers’ awareness of the growing importance of refrigeration to further encourage its development in a sustainable manner, particularly in developing countries and emerging economies.

Last updated: 5 May 2025

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Technical brief (English version)

Pages: 31 p.

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Summary for policy makers (English version)

Pages: 2 p.

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Details

  • Original title: The Role of Refrigeration in the Global Economy 3rd edition, 60th IIR Technical Brief on Refrigeration Technologies.
  • Record ID : 30033707
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Figures, economy, Environment
  • Publishers: IIF-IIR
  • Publication date: 2025/04/15
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18462/iir.TechBrief.04.2025
  • Notes:

    This brief presents key figures illustrating the size and reach of the refrigeration sector and its importance to humankind, as refrigeration is intrinsically linked to the United Nations’ SDGs.


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