COP-28 report highlights vital role of cooling infrastructure in +50°C world

As global temperatures continue to rise, experts from the University of Birmingham are emphasizing the importance of refrigeration and cold chains as essential infrastructure. The report, “The Hot Reality: Living in a +50°C World,” released during the United Nations Climate Talks (COP-28) in Dubai, is spearheaded by the Center for Sustainable Cooling in Kigali, Rwanda, and the Africa Center of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES).

The report titled "The Hot Reality: Living in a +50°C World" underscores the importance of formally categorizing cooling infrastructure systems as critical infrastructure in climate adaptation strategies. Despite its significance, cooling is not typically recognized as critical national infrastructure, although it plays a vital role in society's well-functioning, health, and economic prosperity.

The report advocates for the formal recognition of cooling systems as critical infrastructure, integral to climate adaptation strategies. Toby Peters, a professor of cold economy, stresses that cooling is not a luxury but a necessity for a resilient and healthy society, enabling access to food, health, and safe living environments.

Despite its significance, cooling is often overlooked in national critical infrastructure lists. The recent record-breaking heatwaves, with temperatures reaching 40°C and even 50°C in previously unimaginable places, underscore the urgency of adapting our infrastructure to cope with extreme heat.

However, the challenge lies in the fact that cooling is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for over seven percent, with projections suggesting a potential doubling by 2030. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), used in space cooling and refrigeration, are the fastest-growing GHG emissions source globally.

Dr. Leyla Sain, Deputy Director of the Center for Sustainable Cooling, calls for a high-level, holistic approach to planning, constructing, operating, and maintaining cooling infrastructure, considering its impact on energy and the economy.

Five key recommendations

1. Recognize cooling as a vital service and designate its infrastructure as critical.
2. Develop strategies to ensure sustainable cooling, integrating it with food, health, digital, industrial, and economic security policies.
3. Adopt a whole-systems approach to the lifecycle of cooling infrastructure.
4. Encourage governments and international bodies to prioritize sustainable cooling in their agendas.
5. Promote research and innovation to optimize cooling systems while minimizing environmental impact.

Addressing cooling infrastructure is not just about adapting to heat; it’s about safeguarding our future prosperity and well-being in an increasingly hot world.

It is imperative for governments, academics, infrastructure designers, and civil society to acknowledge that the majority of energy services underpinning modern societies are heat-dependent. A heat-centric approach to energy system policymaking, research, and design is crucial on a global scale.

Governments must recognize their role as stakeholders and assess the wider societal benefits of the cold chain to justify proactive investments in the development of cooling and cold chain systems as part of a nation’s critical infrastructure.

Professor Peters concluded: “A lot of work needs to be done now, on the global cold chain and cooling infrastructure to meet the myriad of challenges that living in a +50°C world presents. We simply do not have the luxury of time to put this off. We need to realise that treating cooling as critical is a matter of survival.”

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