The Clean Cooling Network is a global integrated programme to understand cooling and cold-chain as critical national infrastructure.
Our aim is to provide the tools, knowledge, training and support to deliver inclusive, equitable and future-proofed cooling and cold-chain solutions with minimum environmental impact.
We have set out to answer a wicked problem - How do you create the local and global “field to fork” connectivity to nutritiously feed 10 billion people in 2050, whilst economically empowering hundreds of millions of small-scale farmers whose livelihoods and well-being are often dependent on only 1-2 hectares of land or less, as well as ensure they are climate-change adaptation ready and resilient.… sustainably?
Our Vision
Cold-chains are complex - multi-dimensional, temperature-controlled networks that must maintain perishable and temperature-sensitive products at their optimum temperature and environment from the point of harvest to the destination. They include both static and mobile elements that must work seamlessly together, and which are a primary source of different energy demands. And they include multiple stakeholders. The traditional private-sector-led business models necessarily focus on and prioritise the commercial financial returns, not the impact that could be achieved on the economy, environment, and society as a whole. The Clean Cooling Network includes all relevant stakeholders in many different ways with one key aim, to develop cold-chain as critical infrastructure.
Our Answer
The Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) in Rwanda and a reference SPOKE in Kenya were developed as the launch pad for a global programme of regional Centres of Excellence to increase access to resilient, efficient and climate-friendly cooling and cold-chain for all.
The programme is already being rolled out in multiple markets in Africa (Senegal and Lesotho alongside Rwanda and Kenya) and India (Telangana and a Centre of Excellence in Haryana). Over the next three years, our global reach is planned to continue to grow, driven by our team of more than 80 researchers and experts and our industry leaders, international development agencies, and government partners.
Clean Cooling Programme in action
Across the global programme, we offer access to training, learning, resources, and knowledge to all. Visit our Centres of Excellence and SPOKEs to understand how cold-chains and cooling can benefit communities, develop business models, and test cold-chains in the correct environment. Enhance your own cold-chain skills or develop your workforce at the Clean Cooling Network Academy, and stay up to date with the latest News & Events surrounding cold-chains, clean cooling, and the Clean Cooling Network.
Photography Competition
As part of the Festival of Cooling, we invite all of you to take part in a photography competition that shines a light on how cooling manifests in our day-to-day life, whether that's through food, health, nature or technology. It makes no difference if you are a seasoned photographer or like taking an occasional snapshot; we would love you to participate.
Photography competition
Use the power of photography to reflect cooling in day-to-day life
Open to all ages, this is your chance to show us how cooling touches your world, whether that's through:
- preserving food freshness
- protecting vaccines and medicines
- powering livelihoods
- enabling innovation
- simply bringing people together
Closing date, 25th of September. Winners will be announced at the Festival of Cooling on the 9th of October 2025
* You are required to agree to all competition terms & conditions during registration.
Clean Cooling Academy
We offer a range of educational and professional development courses covering topics such as the cold-chain, refrigeration and GESI. We encourage you to browse our currently available courses and apply if you find one that's right for you.
Upcoming Academy courses
Applications are open for the following new courses at CCN:
Train the Trainer
6th October 2025 (10 x Non-consecutive weeks)
Foundation in Cold-chain
13th October to 17th October, HACE, Haryana, India
Essentials in Cold-chain systems
15th to 29th September (Fully online - Self-paced)
By Degrees Magazine
Expert comment and analysis from the Clean Cooling Network, in a long-read magazine format.
By Degrees Discussion
By Degrees Magazine aims to promote, explore and stimulate debate around the role of cooling as critical infrastructure, ensuring societal well-being, economic stability, and public health; adapting and mitigating the impacts of extreme heat to climate change.
In a By Degrees article, A Cool World: Accelerating the journey to Sustainable Cold-Chain for the Global South, Dr Tim Fox explores the importance of clean cooling solutions, the barriers to progress and the roadmap to a cool world - also to be explored at our upcoming conference: Sustainable Cold-Chain for the Global South.
Latest opinion
Making the cold-chain and clean cooling cool for schools
Bringing cold-chain awareness into schools is about more than just teaching science. It’s about linking lessons to the food we eat, the vaccines we take, and the changing climate that we live in.
Our Communities
Whether we're welcoming new members, discussing the cold-chain or supporting students, we're sure to have a community you'll want to join.
CCN Communities
Join The Clean Cooling Community of Practice for Mapping the food system - Towards efficient post-harvest management.
It explores the fresh produce supply chain, identifying the most critical loss points, and aims to develop strategic interventions to mitigate these inefficiencies.
The CoP is led by Dr. Carol Verheecke-Vaessen and Dr. Tobi Fadiji at Cranfield University.
