Beyond Refrigeration – The IOR annual conference 2021 focuses the industry on steps to net zero

Clearly a popular topic, over 120 delegates from the UK and overseas attended the online event on 21 and 22 April 2021.   The conference was part of the IOR’s ongoing work to address environmental challenges, as part of its Beyond Refrigeration initiatives that focus on seven key issues and include a template for action which was also launched at the conference.

 

In opening the event Conference Chair, Robert Lamb FInstR, said “We need to look at the actions we need to take and the changes we need to make to achieve net zero. We have to get on with working on these issues together – and that’s where we are starting today.”

 

The conference provided a platform for the industry to share successes in what has been achieved so far with a series of case studies that have realised emissions reductions – either on a cross-sector or application basis.  It also provided an opportunity to discuss more widely the complex and interrelated issues and topics around the journey to net-zero with a series of themed “coffee lounge” discussion areas hosted by experts.

 

A familiar and important issue identified was the need for the industry to raise its profile as an essential provider of services which has already achieved a lot in terms of reducing its environmental impact. The substantial accomplishments around direct emission reductions, the change to low GWP refrigerants and technologies to improve efficiency have gone largely unrecognised by the users of cooling technologies.  Keynote speaker James Curlin of UNEP (the UN Environment Programme) said “Your sector has done a fantastic job to address this, but it is not getting the message across.  It’s a hidden sector that does its work in the background.  People don’t understand the contribution it is making to society.”

 

The event which featured 18 presentations (all now recorded for future use) and technical papers will soon be made available as part of the IOR’s Beyond Refrigeration work on the seven key themes:

• System performance
• Using best available technology
• Balancing heating and cooling
• Reducing the need for cooling
• Using energy intelligently
• Working together
• People and skills

 

As part of the interactive discussion sessions delegates discussed how they might use the newly drafted IOR Beyond Refrigeration template that breaks down the steps to achieve net zero in each of these key themes.  There was a lot of interest in using this to provide a focus for discussions between technical specialists and buyers of heating and cooling as well as to help set ambitious targets for what needs to be achieved through their own environmental business strategies.

 

Download the Beyond Refrigeration template at ior.org.uk/beyond-refrigeration.