In this podcast, we talked to IOR Fellow Brian Churchyard about the complex balancing act that food retailers are facing as they work towards a net zero future.  We cover environmental topics such as the interplay between direct and indirect emissions, the need to look at whole life cycle costs, as well as energy use profiles – and discuss where refrigeration fits in. What are the challenges around finding simple, cost-effective engineering solutions and what does the future look like for low carbon retail refrigeration?  Brian is passionate about the opportunities for engineers to address these types of challenges, the contribution that service engineers are making and the positive impact of a successful refrigerant containment strategy.  Brian also shares some good advice for anyone who wants to make a difference in the journey to net zero in any sector or role.   

 

The Institute of Refrigeration podcast channel is called “The Tip of the Iceberg”. It explores with industry leaders, some of the critical issues facing the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector in the UK.  It will contain news, views and insights from the business and engineering experts driving innovation and change in our sector. 

In the first episode we talked with Professor Graeme Maidment and new IOR Trustee Catarina Marques at the ASHRAE winter conference - largest gathering of refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pump experts in the world.  Graeme and Cat shared what it's like to be back at international events, what they learned there about motivation and collaboration, and why international problems like reducing the carbon impact of buildings, improving diversity and addressing covid safety, will need international solutions and new ways of working.   

You can find all of the podcast episodes at https://tipoftheiceberg.podbean.com/ Please like, share and follow.

It is also available on spotify and google.

 

Recent posts

Retail sustainability with the enough project

28 May 2025

Lots to discuss at the "enough" retail workshop on commercial refrigeration and food chain emissions reduction on  27th May

News

New IOR Guidance Note on Coaching

22 May 2025

IOR has published its latest Education Guidance Note in the series, this time focusing on Coaching as a way of employers supporting engineering and technician development.  The Guidance Note (16) gives a guide to understanding the benefits of coaching, how this differs from mentoring and includes a useful list of organisations who can offer help with setting up coaching schemes or offer coaching.

Publication

Members Back Cold Chain To Be Part of UK's Critical Infrastructure

21 May 2025

IOR members showed their support for the Cold Chain Federation (CCF) campaign to recognise the Cold Chain as part of the UK's critical national infrastructure, as they attended the CCF's reception at the Houses of Parliament on 20th May.

News

First Keynote Announced For Adaptation 2025

8 May 2025

Expert in climate change adaptation Tim Fox will deliver a keynote talk at the IOR’s Adaptation 2025 conference detailing why cooling is now a “mission critical” service, essential to public health, food security, global commerce, and economic well-being.

Live event

Missed the Presentation on Greenhouse Gas Mitigation?

7 May 2025

Watch this webinar on catch-up, which focused on implementing technologies and operational strategies capable of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the European retail sector. 

Recording