On December 16, in the Paris headquarters of the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), a significant institutional interview took place for the HVAC/R sector. Eng. Marco Buoni, CEO of Centro Studi Galileo, Secretary of ATF – Association of Refrigeration Technicians, and Past President of AREA with a mandate for International Affairs, met with Yosr Allouche, Director General of the IIR, to discuss key current international issues related to refrigeration, climate policies, and the technological prospects of the sector.
During the dialogue, Marco. Buoni first asked Yosr Allouche for an overview of the recent participation of the IIR at the Meeting of the Parties (MOP) of the Montreal Protocol, held in Nairobi. The General Director of the IIR emphasized the active role of the Institute not only as an observer but also as a direct contributor to the work, through the organization of side events dedicated to emerging technologies for cold chains, in collaboration with UNEP OzonAction. In particular, Allouche highlighted the value of these moments of discussion in connecting technical experts and policymakers, fostering the dissemination of information based on scientific evidence and concrete solutions applicable in the commercial, domestic, logistical, and transportation sectors. The Montreal Protocol, the Director General reminded, is still today the most successful environmental treaty globally, demonstrating how international cooperation can translate into tangible results for the protection of the environment and human health.
Significant attention has also been given to the themes that emerged during the discussions of the MOP, including the management of R23, the strengthening of monitoring networks, and the issues related to data collection and the reliability of emission data. According to engineer Allouche, the gap between estimated, simulated, and officially reported data by countries highlights the need for further investments in monitoring systems and local technical capacities. Another point of interest was the debate on the so-called “regional centers of excellence” for training, a topic that saw differing positions among the participating countries and confirms that building consensus requires time and continuous dialogue.
In response to a question from Eng. Buoni about the COP held in Brazil, Yosr Allouche expressed a critical assessment of the limited attention given to the refrigeration sector within major international climate forums. Despite the sector consuming approximately 20% of global electricity and playing an essential role in climate adaptation, food security, health, and the economy, refrigeration continues to be underrepresented in discussions. In this context, the Director General highlighted the work carried out by initiatives such as UNEP’s Cool Coalition and the Global ABC, emphasizing the need to strengthen institutional support for the IIR as the only intergovernmental organization dedicated exclusively to the sector.
Looking at technological and regulatory perspectives, Eng. Allouche highlighted how Europe is leading the global transformation of refrigeration, with an approach that cannot be limited to the issue of refrigerants alone. It is essential, he explained, to adopt a holistic vision that starts with reducing energy demand through passive cooling technologies, architectural solutions, reflective surfaces, absorption cooling systems, and district cooling, alongside high-efficiency equipment. Additionally, the crucial theme of the national energy mix is set to significantly influence the emissions impact of these technologies.
In conclusion, responding to questions about expectations for 2026, Yosr Allouche reiterated the hope for a strengthening of international cooperation and greater awareness, on the part of governments and public opinion, of the strategic importance of refrigeration. 2026 will be an especially intense year for the IIIR, with numerous international conferences scheduled, and follows the successful World Refrigeration Day 2025, which confirmed the IIIR’s role as a bridge between research, industry, and policymakers. A role that, as clearly emerged from the interview conducted by Eng. Marco Buoni, remains central to addressing the climatic, technological, and social challenges of the HVAC/R sector in a coordinated manner.