The Institute of Refrigeration is proud to announce that the 2nd IIR International Conference on the Role of Refrigeration In Adapting to Rising Ambient Temperatures is returning to the UK in March 2027.

This international event will take place at the IET Austin Court Birmingham from the 8th to the 9th of March, with tours being available on the 10th March. The conference will attract an international audience of RACHP professionals and academics to address the risk of increased demands on refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment in Industrial and commercial,  public buildings, homes and cities. 

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Conference Overview

As global temperatures continue to rise, the challenges faced by the refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump (RACHP) sector are becoming increasingly complex. It is not too late to take action to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change and it is important to realise that there are actions that can be taken to help reduce rising temperatures. This conference will explore these critical issues, and encourage the exchange of ideas and innovation among experts dedicated to developing sustainable and resilient solutions.

The Conference will be supported by relevant IIR commissions and will incorporate Commissions B1, B2, C2,  D1, D2,  E1 and E2. 

Conference Themes

The conference themes reflect the key challenges and priorities facing the RACHP sector as it adapts to a warming climate.

Theme 1: Managing Risk focuses on system resilience, addressing issues such as performance in extreme  temperatures, overheating, and the reliability of cold chains and critical infrastructure.

Theme 2: Environmental, Social and Governance considers how the sector responds responsibly, covering carbon reduction, low-GWP refrigerants, whole life cycle impacts, and the wider societal need for sustainable cooling.

Theme 3: The Future Landscape of RACHP looks ahead to emerging technologies and system-level solutions, including digitalisation, networked energy systems, and new approaches to design, skills, and standards.

Together, these themes will provide a clear and practical framework for advancing both the technical and strategic response required across the sector.

Call for Abstracts 

The call will open soon. Click here to find out more.

Why Attend?

This conference will attract a diverse international audience, including researchers, engineers, industry leaders, and policymakers, all focused on the intersection of refrigeration technology and climate change adaptation. Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Explore Technical Challenges: Discuss how rising ambient temperatures will influence RACHP technologies and system designs. Learn how different sectors, from air conditioning to commercial refrigeration and transportation, are uniquely impacted and what common solutions might be applicable across the board.
• Sector-Specific Insights: Gain valuable insights into the specific challenges and opportunities facing various RACHP sectors. Air conditioning systems, for instance, grapple with different issues compared to commercial refrigeration or transport cooling, each requiring tailored approaches and innovations.
• Networking and Collaboration: Connect with leading experts, share knowledge, and explore collaborative opportunities. This conference provides a unique platform to compare and contrast sector-specific challenges and to identify areas that demand further research and development.

Audience 

Academics, consultants, system designers, equipment designers, students, system operators, equipment management companies, building managers, consultants, equipment manufacturers, equipment management companies, industrial customers, and policymakers. 

Conference date

8th March 2027 - Conference proceedings including paper presentations, workshops and short courses and an evening social event 

9th March 2027 - Conference proceedings including paper presentations, workshops and short courses

10th March 2027 - Conference tours (Tours will be included in the conference registration fee)

About the conference 

The IOR is the national representative to the International Institute of Refrigeration, an intergovernmental organisation representing over 60 countries (see www.iifiir.org for details).  The IOR regularly hosts international research conferences in the UK in order to raise funds toward the UK national contribution to the International Institute of Refrigeration which is only partially funded by UK Government. These events also allow an exchange of information, global scale networking and showcase UK innovation and research. We encourage support of businesses through sponsorship, participation and membership of the IOR’s International Refrigeration Committee (see https://ior.org.uk/networking/IRC )

Organised by 

Adaptation 2027 is part of the IIR Conference series