Keynotes

Monday 11th August 2025

Becoming Critical – Cooling as Critical National Infrastructure

Discover Why Cooling is Mission Critical and Must Be Recognised As Such Now.

Join this compelling keynote session to explore how the cooling industry has evolved into a cornerstone of modern infrastructure — not just for maintaining comfortable spaces in which to live, work and play, but more broadly across a wide range of vital sectors. From commercial air-conditioning and food cold chains, to health products distribution, industrial processes, transport and data centres, you’ll learn how cooling is now a “mission critical” service essential to public health, food security, global commerce, and economic well-being.

The session will take a global perspective, highlighting the challenges ahead as the planet continues to warm and climates experience significant change, as well as the importance of international collaboration and coordination in delivering viable, deliverable solutions. You’ll gain valuable insights into how governments view critical infrastructure, the importance of recognising cooling as such, and progress towards achieving that status in the UK and beyond. Vitally, you will understand the implications for society of ignoring the importance of cooling as mission critical, not only in terms of the direct human costs, but also the trade, commerce and economic development losses and, ultimately, degraded national security and stability.

What you’ll learn:

• Why cooling systems are now essential across a wide range of sectors
• How it underpins health, security, the global economy and human well-being
• The implications of a warming world and climate change for the future of cooling
• How to make the case for cooling as critical infrastructure
• Practical takeaways for improving the resilience in your own cooling based operations

Dr Tim Fox CEng FIMechE FRSA

Dr Tim Fox is an internationally recognised expert in climate change adaptation and mitigation with specialist knowledge of clean energy, sustainable cooling and cold chains, and process engineering-based industries. He works as an independent consultant operating at the intersection of science-engineering-policy-business-communications and is experienced in working with international bodies, such as the UN; EU; national governments in the UK, Europe, India, Africa and Japan; industry; business; financiers; academia; NGOs; the press, media and wider general public. Tim is a Chartered Engineer (CEng), Fellow of the IMechE, and a member of the Adaptation to Climate Change Group of BSI Committee SES/001/07, as well as the ISO Task Group TC207/SC7/TG2 Adaptation to Climate Change, and UK Infrastructure Operators Adaptation Forum. He has been lead author of numerous peer-reviewed papers, research reports, policy papers and thought leadership reports, most recently including “Adapting industry to withstand rising temperatures and future heatwaves” for the IMechE and the Centre of Sustainable Cooling’s “The Hot Reality: Living in a +50C World” report.