Expanding-the-cold-chain-hero-image-2000x400

Expanding the Cold Chain for People and the Planet

While the world produces enough food to feed 10 billion people, one-third or more of it is wasted every year, resulting in more than 800 million people going hungry every day. Food waste also results in an estimated 4.4 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions. To help overcome this global challenge and feed a growing planet, Carrier is creating a smarter and more connected cold chain.

Carrier develops cold chain programs all around the world

Carrier creates healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent cold chain solutions that matter for people and the planet, including inventing new technologies that help enable the safe transport and storage of food, medicine and vaccines. Part of its 2030 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Goals, Carrier aims to positively impact communities by enabling access to safe and healthy cold chain solutions, alleviating hunger and food waste.

Food Loss and Waste Around the Globe

While the world produces enough food to feed 10 billion people, 1/3 or more of it is wasted every year

526M tons of food can be saved annually with effective refrigeration

Food waste results in an estimated 8-10% greenhouse gas emissions

Up to 783 million people go hungry every day

An improved global cold chain could reduce current CO2 emissions by almost 50%.

If food waste were a country, it would be the 3rd largest emitting country in the world.

2 billion people have no access to medicine, but temperature-controlled logistics failures in the biopharma industry cost $35 billion a year.

Sources

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): Committee on World Food Security, Keynote address by CFS Chair to the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, 19 Oct 2022;
United Nations World Food Programme (WFP): 5 facts about food waste and hunger, 25 June 2024
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Cold chain reduces food loss and waste, here is how, 5 June 2023
UNEP: Food Waste Index Report 2024
UNEP: Food Waste Index Report 2024
WFP: 5 facts about food waste and hunger
FAO: Food Waste Footprint & Climate Change, 2011
World Health Organization (WHO): Access to medicines: making market forces serve the poor, 11 May 2017

Expanding the Cold Chain

To solve any challenge, you have to know what you’re up against. Through a commitment to research, we gain a greater understanding of the causes, effects and overall impact of food waste. And most importantly, we’re able to better identify opportunities to improve the cold chain.

Cold chain development programs contribute to creating jobs and to improving and increasing the value of perishable goods and of all involved stakeholders’ activity. Expanding the cold chain in emerging countries contributes to improve people health and social’s life.

Reduce food waste and loss by continuing to drive emerging market cold chain growth

Carrier is implemented in all continents including some of the most challenging areas in term of climate and where the cold chain capacity can vary from country to country. The emerging regions are where the cold chain is key but also where major developments can be done. Aligned with its ESG goals, Carrier is involved in major partnerships with global organizations, countries’ representatives and local stakeholders to help developing the cold chain where people would need access food and medicines the most.

Investing in STEM and cold chain education in diverse populations

Developing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills at all education levels is a top priority for all industries. Carrier want to take part in the journey to prepare future generations of workers by supporting instruction in the cold chain segment while the world faces major climate and environmental challenges. Developing cold chain solutions gathers multiple expertise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. By investing in on STEM Carrier wants to contribute to the growth and the development of the cold chain industry all around the world including areas where access to education and where cold chain development can be challenging.