Taking place on 14 November in Birmingham, the event will look at how we need to change how we plan, design and maintain RACHP systems to adapt for challenges to system resilience caused by climate changes being experienced now in the UK.  Technical difficulties of larger design envelopes, higher load demands, balancing environmental objectives and adapting existing stock of systems will be discussed at this one-day event.

A panel discussion will look at what practical steps those in the RACHP sector should adopt. This discussion will emphasise the significance of maintaining net-zero objectives when planning for more challenging design conditions.

Book your place here

 

Programme

10:00 Welcome from Conference Chair Andy Pearson, Chair of the International Refrigeration Committee

Keynote presentations

10:10 Adapting industry to withstand rising temperatures and future heatwaves. Laura Kent, IMechE and Ruth Shilston, Mott MacDonald

10:40 The economic impact of extreme heat.  Leyla Sayin, Centre for Sustainable Cooling, University of Birmingham

Lessons from hot places - What can the UK learn?  

11:10 The development of Jordan's national cooling strategy. Sawan Baaresh, Royal Scientific Society 

11:40 Designing refrigeration equipment for warmer climates. Yosr Allouche, International Institute of Refrigeration

12:10 Lunch 

13:00 What practical measures can businesses take to mitigate extreme heat?

Discussion chaired by Andrew Bowden, Managing Director of J&E Hall. 

  • How can energy demand management be utilised to achieve net zero? Anastasia Mylona, CIBSE
  • How should we improve design? Conor Eaton-Smith, K2 Engineering Cooling
  • What is the role of maintenance and servicing? John Bonner, City Facilities Management 
  • How can academia support businesses in tackling extreme heat challenges? Catarina Marques, London South Bank University

Adapting to extreme heat - paving the way forward 

14:00 New blend refrigerants for higher ambient temperatures. Koura Global

14:30 How refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump equipment design will need to adapt to cope with climate change. Kashif Nawaz, Oak Ridge National Laboratory 

15:00 The Heat Action Platform - reducing the human and economic impacts of extreme heat. Owen Gow, Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center.

15:30 Conference Close - Lessons from the Briefing. What happens next?

 

Site tour 

Optional post-conference site tour of the Mondelez-Cadbury UK factory at Bourneville. The tour will include a visit to the refrigeration plant and an explanation of the manufacturing process.  

 

 

Recent posts

Technician App

IOR RACHP EngTech Section Launches New Technician App

10 Jul 2025

The IOR’s RACHP EngTech Section is proud to announce the launch of an innovative mobile technician’s app, now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

News
Consultation on EN378

Call for Members’ to respond to Consultation on EN378

8 Jul 2025

The revised EN378 standard is now open for public consultation until 26 August 2025.

Consultation
XavierLego

IOR Attends Career Fair at London School

17 Jul 2025

The IOR was invited to a career fair at a South London to showcase career options in the RACHP sector.

News
Adaptation2025 Keynote3

Adaptation 2025's Third Keynote Announced

15 Jul 2025

How will rising temperatures reshape our homes and cities? Join us at Adaptation 2025 for a topical keynote by Dr Ruth Wood (PhD) of Manchester University, focusing on what rising temperatures mean for homes and cities.

Live event
BBCRadio

IOR On BBC Regional Breakfast Show

14 Jul 2025

IOR President Lisa-Jayne Cook FInstR was invited to discuss the increasing number of homes equipped with air conditioning on BBC Leicester's Breakfast Show.

News