In 2015, the United Nations (UN) announced the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which provided clear universal objectives for nations across the globe. Described as a “shared vision of humanity and a social contract between the world’s leaders and the people”, the 17 SDGs are considered the blueprint to achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. 

Global sustainability cannot be achieved without refrigeration as it is present in most past, present, and future areas of human activity. It is absolutely necessary for life and accounts for nearly 20% of the world’s electricity, a figure that is constantly increasing. 

The IIR is said to be the only international organisation covering all refrigeration uses and technologies such as refrigeration for food and health, air conditioning, cryogenics, heat pumps or heat recovery. Its purpose is to disseminate information, contribute to the intensification of scientific and technical exchanges and encourage research and development towards sustainability in this sector. 

In line with its institutional ethos 'refrigeration for sustainable development', the IIR Activity Report 2020 provides a comprehensive overview on how the work of the Institute is intrinsically linked to the SDGs. 

The report details how the IIR has clearly set its strategy and actions within the framework of the sustainable development of the refrigeration sector. In concrete terms, this has resulted in new agreements with various international bodies and the drafting of documents of general interest to promote the role of refrigeration in this perspective. 

The IIR has increased its efforts to become a major global player taking action to implement sustainable refrigeration in all its uses. The report groups the actions of the Institute according to the following SDGs:  

• Goal 1: No Poverty 
• Goal 2: Zero Hunger 
• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being 
• Goal 4: Quality Education 
• Goal 5: Gender Equality 
• Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy 
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 
• Goal 13: Climate Action 
• Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal 

The full IIR Activity Report is available: iifiir.org/en/iir-presentation.