Environmental Issues Related to Refrigeration Technologies

Abstract

The impact of the refrigeration sector on climate change is important and growing, with four main issues: refrigerants used, energy consumption, food losses and the life cycle of materials. It is increasingly recognized at international level, but these environmental issues are complex, and most solutions are found at national and local levels. The issue of refrigerants is now well known; solutions have already been put in place, both for the stratospheric ozone layer and for climate change, even if these solutions are currently determined in a long-term perspective (mid-century). However, these timeframes may be shortened in the future. Conversely, energy issues (energy efficiency, use of renewable energies), which have so far been insufficiently addressed in most countries, have become an urgent challenge. The same applies to the implementation of cold chains in developing countries in order to reduce food losses and their carbon impact. The dramatic increase in the use of refrigeration, including air conditioning and the cold chain, makes truly sustainable development of this sector particularly important.