The Clean Cooling Network (CCN) 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?
Become a member
Join the network for free:
- Cooling and cold-chain resources
- Expert chats and debates
- Cooling news, events & webinars
- Support and much more
Annual Review 2024/25
A pivotal year for the Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain Solutions Programme. Our annual review is now available for members to download.
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. 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.
The 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.
Festival of Cooling competition
Don't just attend the Festival of Cooling in Kigali on the 6th to the 9th of October, be part of it and enter one of our competitions.
Be part of something cool
As part of the Festival of Cooling, we invite you to take part in two different competitions.
Both of the competitions - run by the Clean Cooling Network - are aimed at African Residents. We're especially interested in encouraging women and youth-led applicants to take part in both the Photography and Start-up Pitch competitions, though all are welcome.
- The Photography competition - You're invited to shine a light on how cooling manifests in your day-to-day life, whether that's through food, health, nature, technology or another way meaningful to you.
- Start-up Pitch competition - We're calling on young companies to step forward and showcase solutions that could make cooling and cold-chain smarter, cleaner, and more accessible in Rwanda with potential to scale up in the Global South.
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.
Training at CCN
Educational and professional development courses, available to all.
Upcoming Academy courses
Applications are open for the following new courses at the Clean Cooling Network:
Foundation in Cold-chain
13th October to 17th October, HACE, Haryana, India
Train the Trainer
20th October 2025 (10 x Non-consecutive weeks)
Cold-chain specifications and commissioning course
7th November 2025, ACES, Kigali, Rwanda
New dates added
Essentials in Cold-chain systems
22nd October - 3rd November 2025 (Fully online - Self-paced)
By Degrees Magazine
Expert comment and analysis from the Clean Cooling Network, in a long-read magazine format.
By Degrees discussions
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.
In another By Degrees article, Building Africa’s Resilience through Cold-Chain Training for Global Health, ACES’s One Health team, Jean Pierre Musabyimana, Hugor Shema and Ariane Mutabaruka discuss how the cold-chain is the silent backbone to global health, and how its failure can mean the difference between life and death. This is one of the plenary topics to be discussed at the Sustainable Cold-Chain for the Global South conference too.
Recently published
World Ozone Day
The availability of trained engineers and technicians with the skillsets required to design, install, commission, operate, maintain and safely decommission clean cooling equipment, holds paramount importance in facilitating its widespread adoption.
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.
Our other communities include:
+50°C Community of Practice
Join the Living in a +50°C World Community of Practice to discuss these important issues, attend events and contribute!
