As the world focuses on boosting fresh agricultural production to address global food and nutritional security, it is equally important to preserve harvested food and ensure it remains fresh and safe throughout the supply chain. The development of sustainable cold-chain systems plays a critical role in reducing food loss, mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increasing farmers' income, and creating jobs, particularly for women and youth in rural areas.
A UNEP-FAO report, Sustainable Food Cold Chains (2022), highlights the scale of food loss, with 14 per cent of food produced for human consumption lost, costing the global economy $936 billion annually. The lack of cold-chain infrastructure is a key contributor to this issue, leading to the loss of 526 million tons of food, equivalent to 12 per cent of global production in 2017. This amount could feed 1 billion people, in a world where 811 million people are hungry, and 3 billion cannot afford a healthy diet. Additionally, food loss contributes to 4.4 gigatons of CO2 emissions, making it the third-largest emitter of GHGs after China and the United States.
A holistic approach to building end-to-end cold chains is vital to ensuring food availability, safety, quality, and nutritional security. This approach also boosts farmers' income and helps tackle malnourishment, particularly in children. National Cooling Action Plans (NCAPs) have been developed by countries like India, Indonesia, and Ghana, with support from UNEP’s Cool Coalition. These plans identify pathways for reducing energy-related emissions from cooling, improving access to cooling solutions, and integrating energy-efficient and renewable technologies. NCAPs also help achieve multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Zero Hunger, Good Health, Decent Work, and Climate Action.
To develop robust global cold-chain systems, it is essential to gather measurable data, establish best practices, and create innovative business models. This includes developing financing mechanisms, training, and capacity building on clean, energy-efficient technologies at all levels of the cold supply chain. UNEP’s Cool Coalition established a national cold-chain program in India in 2021 to scale up sustainable cold chains, addressing critical gaps in the country’s cold supply chain, particularly in agricultural and horticultural sectors. The program focuses on clean, efficient cold chains using renewable energy, aligning with India’s targets to double farmers' income, reduce GHG emissions under the Paris Agreement, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The India program includes key partners such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. Supported by the Government of Denmark and the Clean Cooling Collaborative, this initiative (2021-2025) focuses on policy development, pilot demonstration projects, financing strategies, and outreach. The main objective is to mainstream efficient, renewable cold-chain infrastructure into rural areas, particularly targeting packhouses and reefer transport, to reduce food loss, improve farmer income, and enhance rural energy access.
Launched in 2019, the “Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain Solutions” project aims to promote resilient, efficient, and climate-friendly cooling solutions, focusing on reducing food and vaccine loss, empowering smallholder farmers, and minimizing the environmental impact of cold chains. Managed by United for Efficiency (U4E), the program has been operationalized through collaborations with academic partners, the private sector, and international organizations.
In Africa, the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) was established in Rwanda as a flagship hub for research and innovation. This center, located on a five-hectare campus with access to a 200-hectare farm, serves as a platform for testing new equipment, developing sustainable cold-chain technologies, and creating tailored training programs. ACES also fosters collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to design solutions that address local needs while aligning with broader global sustainability goals.
ACES operates as the main knowledge hub, providing tools, insights, and guidance to improve cold-chain systems across Africa. In tandem, a network of Specialized Outreach and Knowledge Establishments (SPOKEs) was created to apply ACES’ research in real-world settings. The first SPOKE, located in Kenya and led by the Africa Centre for Technology Studies, serves as a demonstration site for sustainable cooling technologies and post-harvest management. The Kenya SPOKE offers training and capacity-building programs for farmers, engineers, and cold-chain operators, ensuring local communities benefit directly from these innovations.
This SPOKE model is being expanded to other African nations, including Senegal and Rwanda, to strengthen regional cold chains. SPOKEs act as centers for showcasing practical solutions, training local experts, and creating scalable, financeable business models for cold-chain development. By fostering this interconnected network, the ACES-SPOKE system aims to bridge the gap between research and practical application, enhancing rural livelihoods, reducing food loss, and mitigating environmental impacts across the continent.
To support its global vision, the Clean Cooling Network was created as an umbrella brand under which each national project operates, maintaining a country-led approach while advancing the collective goal of sustainable cold-chain solutions. The program aims to improve equitable access to cooling, empower smallholder farmers, and enhance environmental sustainability across multiple regions.
