Tips and ideas to make refrigeration sustainable
The topic of sustainable refrigeration was one of the most hotly debated issues at the annual QualEnergia forum, held in Rome last November. The two-day event hosted professionals, leading cold sector companies, Italian and European NGOs and several representatives of political groups involved in promoting a decarbonised economy.
It was an interesting debate, with some solid proposals which could bring decisive results regarding the development of efficient, productive strategies for the future. Delegates also discussed certain issues currently obstructing the more widespread use of alternative technologies and energy sources able to provide a solution to the climate crisis.
How can sustainable refrigeration be achieved in Italy?
During the Roman conference, a large part of the discussion focused on identifying both the hurdles faced and some possible solutions in order to facilitate sustainable refrigeration, while another debate focused on the idea that those who control the cold industry have considerable influence over citizens’ daily lives.
The undeniable reality of this last point is confirmed by the role of essential procedures such as food storage and the production stages, storage and transport of medicines. These very diverse areas are not favourable, for various reasons, when it comes to making the cold sector sustainable.
One of the most significant proposals put forward to resolve this issue is to make technology as free as possible from patents, to avoid monopolies and the reliance on a small number of companies, especially considering that such companies are often inclined to use production plants located outside Europe.
As for technology, the pointless practice of renewing it every 15 years, as many Italian companies do was also discussed.This practice is not only incapable of bringing tangible benefits in terms of being competitive, it could also be completely replaced with alternative options which are bolder, more innovative and more efficient.
Another topic discussed at the forum was how Italian industry is now mature enough to invest in sustainable technologies. The suggestion was not to be afraid of financial operations and not to ask for incentives or funding, but to be aware that this is a solid earning opportunity for the business.
The final subject discussed was the need for Italian politics to build a long-term strategy, aimed at preventing climate change. Today in fact, current environmental policies reflect an approach designed to ‘patch up’ the climate problem rather than eliminate it and this does not help people to see the potential socio-economic and environmental benefits deriving from a strategy of prevention.
A focus on F-Gas Regulations
As well as the many ideas put forward for sustainable refrigeration, there was an interesting debate regarding the thorny issue of F-Gases (substances closely connected with refrigeration, which are used in a lot of cold industry equipment), with particular attention given to the relevant Regulations (a list of rules which stipulate the quantities and environments for their use).
In that respect, it was revealed that the new amendments proposed by the European Commission and Parliament in the last months have now come before the Council of Europe but (so far) have not yet been confirmed in a definitive agreement.
While waiting for the modifications to the current regulations, some delegates pointed out the need to insert a clause forbidding the use of substances which can produce PFAS compounds: molecules which could soon be banned, invalidating any investments already made in alternative refrigerants, without following the ‘precautionary principle’.
Translated by Joanne Beckwith
