UNESCO endorses IIR's SPARK programme to bring refrigeration science into global policy

Paris, 21 October 2026 – The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) welcomes the endorsement of SPARK (Science-Policy Alignment through Research and Knowledge-exchange), a programme to embed scientific evidence in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump policy. SPARK is now an endorsed programme of UNESCO's International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033) and runs from June 2025 to December 2033. 

Refrigeration underpins food security, public health and climate adaptation, yet the sector remains underrepresented in global science-policy dialogue. SPARK aims to close that gap by building a two-way dialogue between scientists and policymakers, in support of SDGs 2, 3, 7, 9, 13 and 17. 

What SPARK will do 

• Train and mentor scientists to engage in policy processes, and give policymakers a working grounding in refrigeration technologies. 
• Publish the Global Refrigeration Outlook (2027, 2031), policy briefs and science-to-policy toolkits. 
• Run workshops, webinars, study tours and annual fellowship cohorts for early-career scientists and policy professionals. 
• Integrate policy tracks into the International Congress of Refrigeration (ICR 2027 and 2031). 
• Create an open-access knowledge repository built on the IIR's FRIDOC database. 

Primary beneficiaries are scientists and policymakers at national and international levels. Industry, academic institutions, civil society and underserved regions, including Africa and Small Island Developing States, are also targeted. 

Funding. The programme's estimated budget is €4.2 million over eight years. €1.2 million is already secured through IIR co-financing and private sector partnerships, including World Refrigeration Day 2025 sponsors. The IIR is inviting international donors, industry leaders, philanthropic foundations and new partners to join forces and help mobilise the remaining €3 million. 

Broad support from research, industry and associations 

SPARK is supported by  the Department of Building Science at Tsinghua University (China), the Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Association of Refrigeration (CAR), the Association Française du Froid (AFF), Daikin Industries and the SOFRIGAM Group. Supporters have committed to share expertise, take part in science-policy dialogues, support workshops, webinars and fellowships, and amplify the programme's outreach.  

“ Scientific knowledge should not stop at publication. It must reach those making decisions and help shape policies that respond to real challenges. With SPARK, we want to strengthen the dialogue between scientists and policymakers, ensuring that decisions on refrigeration and heat pumps are informed by sound, independent scientific evidence provided by the IIR and its international network of experts. UNESCO’s endorsement is an important recognition of this ambition and of the fundamental role refrigeration science can play in addressing global challenges, from food security and public health to climate change. We invite our international partners to support this initiative and contribute to strengthening the role of science in policymaking worldwide” – Yosr Allouche, Director General, International Institute of Refrigeration 

About the IIR 

The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to advancing refrigeration and heat pump technologies and their application for a sustainable future. With the world’s most comprehensive knowledge base, peer-reviewed publications, and regular international scientific conferences, the IIR drives the dissemination of cutting-edge research and fosters global collaboration across the sector. The IIR connects researchers, industry experts, and policymakers to support informed decision-making and turn scientific progress into practical and reliable applications. Founded after the first International Congress of Refrigeration held in 1908, the IIR is a global reference, providing trusted knowledge and data to support the deployment of sustainable, efficient refrigeration technologies essential to food security, healthcare, and climate action.