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 three of a six-part series.
The panel discussion turned to scaling digital, technical and financial innovations. Roberta Bosurgi of the BASE Foundation introduced the Your Virtual Cold Chain Assistant (Your VCCA) – a digital tool coupled with Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS) to offer solar-powered cold rooms in rural areas.
Piloted in India, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Iraq, Your VCCA has demonstrated compelling impacts: post-harvest losses reduced by up to 60% and revenues increased by 40% for participating farmers. Importantly, the initiative combines digital tools with local engagement, ensuring systems are user-friendly and community-operated.
Vishnu Sasidharan of Pluss Advanced Technologies presented phase-change materials that enhance thermal storage efficiency, allowing cold chains to maintain temperatures with minimal energy input – crucial for off-grid or intermittent power regions.
From the manufacturing side, Anatoly Mikhailov, vice-president at Danfoss, emphasised the role of natural refrigerants like CO₂ and ammonia and high-efficiency compressors in cutting energy use and emissions across industrial cold chains. These upgrades are especially relevant in emerging markets where demand for cooling is rising rapidly.
Guntram Glasbrenner of GIZ Proklima International shared lessons from solar-powered cold chains in Burkina Faso and Malawi, stressing that technology alone is not enough. Policy frameworks, local capacity-building, and targeted financing must go hand-in-hand to ensure sustainable adoption.
Siddhanta reframed cold chains as frontline adaptation tools, not just logistical necessities. He called for accelerated scaling of proven models through multi-stakeholder partnerships – uniting governments, the private sector, financial institutions and civil society.
“Cold chains now decide whether farmers prosper, whether vaccines reach those who need them, and whether emissions come down. This is no longer a background discussion. This is the frontline of climate action, food security and health equity.”
A call for integrated action
The webinar painted a clear picture: cold chains are a nexus solution. They intersect climate, health, food and energy systems – and when powered sustainably, they enable equitable development while reducing environmental footprints.
Scaling cold chain infrastructure – especially with renewable energy, climate-friendly refrigerants, and community-based models – must become a priority in global climate and development strategies.
As the world faces rising heat, expanding food insecurity, and fragile health systems, sustainable cold chains offer not just a fix, but a foundation for a more resilient future.