9 Oct 2023
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.
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?
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.
13 Feb 2026
This new strategic education and skills forum is designed to align training provision with the needs of employers across the sector and to act as the industry’s authoritative voice to awarding bodies, government, and policy stakeholders.
18 Feb 2026
Have you considered a career in technical teaching? BESA is currently offering a Skills Legacy Programme to help fund teacher training for 100 engineers to become trainer or assessor.
17 Feb 2026
The I’m a Scientist initiative might be exactly what you’re looking for.
If you work in STEM (engineering is included!) you can take part in this programme designed to connect professionals with students aged 10 to 18.
16 Feb 2026
The Institute of Refrigeration announced at the IOR Annual Dinner that two members have been recognised as Fellows for their leadership and contribution to the RACHP industry. Their achievements include a scope of different areas, including promoting skills, technical development and international outreach.
13 Feb 2026
During her speech at the IOR Annual Dinner on 12th February 2026, IOR President Lisa-Jayne Cook FInstR reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to placing members and skills at the forefront of its agenda.