'Sustainable Cold-Chain for the Global South' brings together global stakeholders to speed adoption of clean, affordable, and resilient cold-chain systems.
Farmers in Global South countries need sustainable cooling to help reduce produce wastage.
The University of Birmingham is hosting a major international conference to tackle one of the world’s most urgent and overlooked sustainable development challenges - delivering clean, affordable, and resilient cold-chain systems for the Global South.
Sustainable Cold-Chain for the Global South brings together global stakeholders - including academics, development agencies, NGOs, industry leaders, and investors.
The conference on 28–29 October 2025 is free to attend, but spaces are limited - register now.
The conference will address barriers to implementation, identify practical solutions, and explore research, trade, and commercial opportunities for the UK and beyond.
“Despite the critical importance of cold-chain infrastructure in the Global South, progress remains slow. We cannot achieve food and health security, or meet our climate goals, without sustainable cold-chains.
Organisers are also inviting researchers, practitioners, and innovators to submit academic posters and manuscripts for presentation during the conference – email them to find out more information.
Toby Peters, Professor of Clean Cold at the University of Birmingham, commented: “Despite the critical importance of cold-chain infrastructure in the Global South, progress remains slow. We cannot achieve food and health security, or meet our climate goals, without sustainable cold-chains.
“Building on our work in Africa and India, our conference brings together the people who can make change happen, and will give them the tools, knowledge, and partnerships to do it. The event also gives attendees a unique opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience and contribute to shaping the future of sustainable cooling.”
Delegates will explore how to accelerate deployment of clean cooling technologies that are vital for food security, health systems, and climate resilience. They will also hear first-hand accounts from colleagues working on the ground in Africa and India, offering real-world insights into the impact and potential of clean cold solutions.
The programme features dynamic plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and breakout tracks focused on community, policy, and technology with topics including:
A special evening reception will be held in the University of Birmingham’s historic Great Hall on 28 October, featuring a buffet dinner, drinks, and a photo exhibition showcasing cold-chain innovations and community impact.
For more information, please contact the University of Birmingham press office on or +44 (0) 121 414 2772.
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.
Professor in Cold Economy
Professor Toby Peters is an award-winning technology developer and industrial academic with more than 14 years of experience in energy storage /energy systems.
