By Eamonn Ryan, derived from webinar
The UNEP Cool Coalition recently convened a global dialogue titled ‘Cold Chains for a Hot Planet: Cooling for Resilient Food and Health Systems’, an official side event of the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktaking Moment, held on 30 July 2025. This is part six of a six-part series.
Anatoly Mikhailov, vice-president at Danfoss, addressed another often overlooked lever: refrigerants themselves. Many synthetic refrigerants have high global warming potential (GWP) and leak into the atmosphere from cooling systems, contributing to climate change.
Natural refrigerants like ammonia and CO₂, in contrast, offer ultra-low GWP alternatives and superior energy performance. Mikhailov emphasised that combining these refrigerants with modern, energy-efficient systems could cut emissions significantly, often with quick payback periods due to energy savings.
He also noted that cold storage facilities themselves act as thermal batteries – able to flex demand in response to variable renewable supply. This makes them key enablers for integrating solar and wind into local grids.
Lessons from the ground: GIZ’s experience in Africa
Guntram Glasbrenner from GIZ Proklima brought the conversation full circle, reminding participants that real-world scaling demands policy alignment, training and local adaptation.
He showcased GIZ’s work in Burkina Faso and Malawi, where cold chains for meat and vaccines are using natural refrigerants and solar energy. Their design prioritises long-term climate compatibility while boosting access to basic services.
A key takeaway: “The fastest way to undermine a cold chain investment is to isolate it from the local ecosystem. Training, financing and community engagement aren’t optional add-ons – they are foundational.”
A roadmap to scale
In his closing remarks, Siddhanta emphasised the need to move beyond pilots and scale proven solutions globally. He called for deeper cross-sector partnerships and more investment into models that integrate clean energy, digital technology and equity.
“Cold chains are no longer just a support function. They’re core infrastructure for climate resilience, public health and sustainable development,” he said.
The message of the webinar was clear: the tools, technologies and models to build climate-smart, equitable cold chains already exist. What’s needed now is the will – and co-ordinated action – to scale them.
Key takeaways:
- Cold chains are essential infrastructure for climate adaptation, food security and public health
- Solar-powered cold storage, phase-change materials and digital tools are transforming last-mile cooling
- Natural refrigerants and high-efficiency equipment reduce both direct and indirect emissions
- Community engagement, capacity building and market linkages are vital for long-term sustainability
- Cross-sector collaboration is key to scaling solutions and meeting SDG and climate targets
This article is based on the 30 July 2025 webinar ‘Cold Chains for a Hot Planet: Cooling for Resilient Food and Health Systems’, hosted by UNEP Cool Coalition alongside the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktaking Moment.