Singapore hosts Cold Chain Summit

USA: Following its inaugural event in London last year, Carrier is to hold its 2015 World Cold Chain Summit to Reduce Food Waste in Singapore this week, Dec 2-3.

The summit will convene global leaders in the supply chain private sector, academia and government to discuss food waste in emerging and developed economies. During panel discussions and interactive workshops, participants will identify actions needed to accelerate progress in cold chain technology and policy development.

Keynote speakers include Dr Joseph Mpagalile, Agro-food Industries officer, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO); Didier Coulomb, general director of the International Institute of Refrigeration; and Clementine O’Connor, sustainable food systems consultant, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

“With new technologies and practices for a more efficient cold chain, significant progress can be made to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions, improve cross-border economic activity and help reduce hunger,” said Carrier Transicold & Refrigeration Systems’ president David Appel.

One third or more of the food we produce is said to be wasted, generating 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. According to Carrier, if food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions, behind China and the US.

Refrigeration is recognised as the best technology to prolong the shelf life of perishable food, says Carrier, yet only 10% of worldwide perishable foods are refrigerated.