The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) is developing the first edition of the Global Refrigeration Outlook (GRO), a new flagship publication designed to assess the current state, future evolution, and societal impact of refrigeration technologies worldwide.
Approved by the IIR Scientific and Technical Council in June 2025, the report is scheduled for launch at the International Congress of Refrigeration 2027 in Seoul, South Korea.
The report will provide evidence-based analysis and forward-looking scenarios covering the entire temperature spectrum, from cryogenic applications to high-temperature heat pumps.
The Global Refrigeration Outlook(GRO)is primarily designed to support policymakers and public authorities involved in climate, energy, industrial, and development strategies.
Positioned at the interface between science and policy, the report will evaluate how refrigeration technologies contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation, energy efficiency, food security, healthcare, industrial productivity, and equitable access to cooling services.
Beyond its policy focus, the publication will also serve researchers, industry stakeholders, and international organisations, analysing technology trends, energy use, emissions, innovation pathways, and regulatory frameworks across the full spectrum of refrigeration applications.
While several international organisations already publish reports on aspects of cooling, energy demand, refrigerant transitions, or greenhouse gas emissions, none offer the integrated, system-level perspective of the GRO.
The report connects societal needs with refrigeration applications spanning food cold chains, healthcare, industrial processes, HVAC systems, transport refrigeration, and energy recovery technologies.
By integrating environmental, technological, economic, and social dimensions into a single framework, the GRO aims to become the definitive global reference for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable refrigeration transition.