Birmingham, United Kingdom - 28th & 29th October 2025
Clean cooling and cold-chain systems are pivotal to sustainable development, food and health security, and economic prosperity - particularly in the Global South. Yet, despite the critical urgency, clean cooling and cold-chain solutions are neither being financed nor implemented at the required scale or in a holistic and inclusive manner on-the-ground. What barriers are holding back progress, and why do these persist? What critical issues need addressing, and what risks does continued inaction pose? Crucially, what practical and tangible steps can be taken now to overcome these challenges and accelerate meaningful change?
On 28th and 29th October 2025, we are hosting a two-day international conference at University of Birmingham to advance the collaborative thinking on how, as a community, we can provide holistic, sustainable, affordable, and resilient cooling and cold-chain services to all; how we can embed this approach quickly enough to avoid locking-in cooling emissions for years or decades; and of course identify the research, trade, and commercial opportunities this offers to the UK.
This will be a collaborative, multi-stakeholder event with a focus on discussions and workshops for end-users, academics, Development Agencies and NGOs, industry and investor groups to share ideas, make connections and to develop thinking around clean cold. There will be opportunities to showcase technology and present academic posters. We will have colleagues from Africa and India in attendance to present work and impact on the ground.
To read more on the importance and necessity of this event, we encourage you to read Dr Tim Fox's article: A Cool World: Accelerating the journey to Sustainable Cold-Chain for the Global South.
Programme
Tuesday 28th October 2025 - Day 1
- 09.00 - 09.20: Registration
- 09.20 - 09.30: Welcome
- 09.30 - 09.55: Introduction and scene-setting
- 09.55 - 10.45: Overview of key activities in the Global South
- 10.45 - 11.15: Tea and coffee
- 11.15 - 12.30: Break-Out Groups – Session 1:
1. Community track - Moving Farmers Up the Value Chain
2. Policy track - System Design & Horizon Scanning
3. Technology track - Training, Continuous Professional Development & Capacity Building
- 12.30 – 14.00: Lunch
- 14.00 – 15.15: Break-Out Groups – Session 2:
1. Community track - Social Capital, Building Inclusive & Resilient Communities
2. Policy track - Transport Energy Strategies & Modal Shifts
3. Technology track - Technology Selection, Testing & Demonstration
- 15.15 - 15.45: Tea and coffee break
- 15.45 - 16.30: Plenary feedback
- 16.30 - 17.15: The Role of Sub-Zero
Please also join us for a reception, at the University of Birmingham's Great Hall:
- 06.30- 22.00: Drinks Reception, Buffet Dinner and Photo Exhibition
Wednesday 29th October 2025 - Day 2
- 08.30 - 09.00: Tea and coffee
- 09.00 – 09.50: Plenary session - One Health
- 09.55 - 10.45: Plenary session - Return on Investment
- 10.45 - 11.15: Tea and coffee
- 11:15-12:30: Break-Out Groups – Session 3:
1. Community track - Business Models & Finance
2. Policy track - Refrigeration and Technology Accelerator Strategies for Africa
3. Technology track - Innovation & Future Research
- 12.30 - 13.45: Lunch
- 13.45 - 15.15: Plenary session – discussion, conclusions and recommendations
- 15.15 - 15.25: Close
Tea and coffee will be served prior to departure.
Why Attend?
- Engage directly with global stakeholders from diverse sectors
- Participate in dynamic panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking sessions
- Explore innovative technologies
- Discover cutting-edge research
- Hear first-hand experiences from experts from Africa and India, sharing insights and real-world impact stories
Key cross-cutting themes to include
- Cooling as Critical National Infrastructure – roadmaps and the true cost of inactions
- Cold-chain for One Health – vaccines and pharma
- Cold-chain for economically empowering farmer communities
- The role of data and democratised ERP system;
- Novel technologies for the Global South; to include “Testing in Africa for Africa” and capacity building needs
- Energy transition
- Cold-chain through GESI lens
- Continual vocational training and Continuous professional development
Participation and Contact Information
This conference is free to attend.
To book your free ticket, please visit our event page, here.
To make general enquiries, please email [email protected].
A Cool World: Accelerating the journey to Sustainable Cold-Chain for the Global South
11th Aug 2025
The Global South faces significant challenges in adapting to climate change and building resilience against future climate shocks, not least in response to rising seasonal temperatures and more frequent, prolonged heat extremes.
Is the cold-chain driven by need or greed?
12th Aug 2025
Dr Ed Hammond, specialist in refrigeration system design and development, asks the question: "Is the cold-chain driven by need or greed?" Did developed countries really have a greater need for cooling than the Global South?
Building Africa’s Resilience through Cold-Chain Training for Global Health
13th Aug 2025
ACES’ One Health team - Jean Pierre Musabyimana, Hugor Shema and Ariane Mutabaruk - explore "Building Africa’s Resilience through Cold-Chain Training for Global Health"; one of the plenary topics to be covered at October's conference.
Frozen Food: Is it an opportunity for smallholder Farmers in the Global South?
15th Aug 2025
Dr Tim Fox, Dr Leyla Sayin and Professor Toby Peters argue that sub-zero cold-chains for frozen foods need to be central to the discussions at October's: "A Cool World: Sustainable Cold-Chain for the Global South" conference.
