2024 has been a pivotal year for the Cold Chain Federation (CCF). The organisation made significant strides towards its mission to elevate the cold chain sector, advocate for policy changes, and deliver ground-breaking data and research.

Phil Pluck
CEO at Cold Chain Federation

One of the year’s highlights was the delivery of the Manifesto for Cold Chain. This comprehensive blueprint, designed to guide the CCF’s policy agenda for the General Election, has been widely shared and sparked important conversations with key government officials. It also offers us a foundation going into 2025 with the new government.

However, the year also presented challenges. The UK government’s delay in renewing the Climate Change Agreement (CCA) scheme and introducing post-Brexit import controls, known as the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), posed significant hurdles for the cold chain sector. We hope that 2025 sees more clarity on these vital issues for our members.

In addition to these efforts, the CCF has been at the forefront of several other initiatives. The organisation has been a driving force behind the global movement to adopt -15°C as the standard temperature for frozen food storage, aiming to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The CCF has also established a Refrigerated Transport Expert Group to explore ways to decarbonise transport refrigeration units (TRUs) and attract government support for low-carbon technologies. Furthermore, the CCF’s comprehensive Cold Chain Report on the economic benefits of cold chain to the UK economy has provided valuable insights into the sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP, employment, and trade.

Looking ahead to 2025, the CCF has ambitious goals. We will be working hard with the Government to ensure that our sector is viewed as a critical national infrastructure and gets the support it needs to keep the UK fed and safe. One aim for this is that it becomes part of a minister’s Portfolio rather than the current piecemeal approach across government. The CCF will continue to advocate for government support and regulatory changes to facilitate the adoption of -15°C cold chains in the UK. We will also work towards establishing a registration scheme for TRUs to track emissions reductions and attract government funding for low-carbon technologies.

By addressing these priorities, the CCF is poised to shape the future of the cold chain industry, ensuring its sustainability, resilience, and continued contribution to the UK economy.

COLD CHAIN FED

0118 988 4468

info@coldchainfed.org.uk

coldchainfederation.org.uk

 

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