Statement presented by Didier Coulomb, Director General of the IIR during COP-28 Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

Dear Delegates,

 

The refrigeration sector, which includes the cold chain for food and health products, air conditioning, cryogenics and heat pumps, is now recognised within the United Nations as a development priority for its benefits to human life, and an environmental priority for its impact on climate change, beyond the effect on the stratospheric ozone layer. We welcome the global cooling pledge.

 

This year, the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is sharing a pavilion with the various programmes and agencies of the United Nations and various public and private players.

 

The aim of this common pavilion is to work collectively to promote sustainable refrigeration throughout the world, with workshops covering a wide range of topics. The meeting of intergovernmental bodies, including the IIR, public institutions, associations and companies, shows the importance of the actions to be taken.

 

It is essential for each country to draw up national cooling plans, including heat pumps, aimed at drastically reducing the use of fluorinated gases and the energy consumption of equipment, while at the same time ensuring an increase in refrigeration equipment where it is needed, particularly in developing countries (post-harvest losses…).

 

The IIR is already involved in a number of projects in all continents: setting up cold chains for food, equipping hospitals, installing low-energy air conditioning systems, defining strategies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

 

We are open to participating in other projects, beyond our database, publication and conference activities.

 

Drawing on its network of experts from academia and industry, the IIR is at your disposal for any assistance you may need.

 

Thank you.

 

Didier Coulomb, Director General of the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR)