What We Do
A whole system of systems approach
Across Africa and India a framework was designed taking a comprehensive, needs-driven, system of systems approach to deliver cold-chains.
Our Goal
An integrated programme to accelerate the deployment of sustainable cold-chain solutions in developing markets at scale with fit-for-market business models and clean technologies.
- Develop, test, demonstrate and deploy viable pathways considering the overall system, from farm to fork and manufacturer to patient
- Collaborative research on future-proof, localised solutions
- Build awareness on the benefits of sustainable cold chain
- Provide business assistance and training to small-holder farmers and rural communities- paying attention to gender and social inclusion/exclusion dynamics
- Build the skilled workforce for installation and maintenance
- Exchange lessons learned from real-world applications throughout Africa
Our objective is to promote cooling and cold-chain as critical national infrastructure and provide the tools, knowledge, training and support to deliver inclusive, equitable and future-proofed solutions with minimum environmental impact, ensuring sustainability and resilience in a fast warming and changing world.
Professor Toby Peters, University of Birmingham
Cold-chain delivery
We aim to deliver cold-chains:
- sustainably with minimum environmental impact;
- equitably, providing access for all, including poor, disadvantaged, and marginalised farmers and their communities, as well as women and youth;
- whilst ensuring that they are future-proofed and resilient against changes to the system as well as future risks, shocks and disruptions.
Our 9 key pillars
There are key pillars with content being developed by academic partners across the cold-chain:
- Capacity building & Training;
- Finance & Business Models;
- Technology, Innovation & Demonstration;
- System Design & Modelling;
- One Health & Resilience;
- Enabling Policies & Thought Leadership;
- Manufacturing & Assembly;
- Energy Transition;
- Market Needs & Consumer Behaviour.
Our delivery approach
The key pillars are underpinned by a dual physical and online delivery approach:
- Centres of Excellence - The first of which is the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain in Rwanda. Two more are in development in India at Haryana and Telangana.
- SPOKEs – SPecialised Outreach and Knowledge Establishment. The first is a reference SPOKE in Kenya, with three more in development in Rwanda, Senegal and Lesotho.
- Clean Cooling Network (this web platform) - providing a central resource to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing throughout the cooling and cold-chain community - Register for free and start collaborating now.
Knowledge sharing
Within the Resources section of the platform you will find tools, models, publications and more to help aid your delivery of a sustainable cooling environment, for your needs.
