According to IIR estimates, 12% of food produced globally in 2017 was lost due to an insufficient cold chain. A more extensive cold chain would limit the need to increase agricultural production to compensate for these losses and avoid the corresponding CO₂ emissions. This raises the question of whether the additional CO₂ emissions resulting from the implementation of a more extensive cold chain are not greater than the emissions avoided by reducing food losses due to a lack of refrigeration. 

To answer this key question, the IIR has developed a model to calculate CO₂ emissions for each stage of the cold chain for all countries in the world. This model allows comparison of CO₂ emissions associated with the current global cold chain with those of an 'improved' cold chain. The latter corresponds to a reasonable assumption in which the cold chain in all countries is brought to the same level of equipment and performance as that existing in developed countries:

• An improved global cold chain based on these principles would allow a reduction of almost 50% of the CO₂ emissions of the current cold chain. 
• This improved cold chain would also avoid 55% of the food losses attributable to the current cold chain. 

A summary for policymakers outlines the main conclusions and recommendations of this new document and a methodological annex details the assumptions and main calculations made.

These documents are available in both English and French, and can be downloaded at iifiir.org > Publications > IIR Informatory Notes.