World Refrigeration Day 2026 will continue to raise awareness about the essential role of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump technologies in modern life. Celebrated annually on 26 June, the day brings together industry professionals, educators, and policymakers to promote the importance of cooling technologies and the skilled workforce behind them.
The theme for 2026, “Cool Skills,” celebrates the people and expertise that enable sustainable cooling and heating. It highlights the wide range of professionals — including technicians, engineers, trainers, researchers, and innovators — whose work supports health, safety, and comfort across the globe. The campaign aims to make these skills visible, especially as the sector faces rising demand for climate-friendly cooling and low-carbon heating solutions.
“Cool Skills” draws attention to the practical application of science and technology in managing thermal energy. From keeping food safe and medicines effective, to enabling data connectivity and climate resilience, these services rely on trained individuals whose contributions are often overlooked. The theme also underscores the growing need to attract and support talent in refrigeration and heat pump sectors amid global climate goals.
To support the campaign, World Refrigeration Day has released official graphics symbolising the dual mastery of thermal energy. The visual features a pair of hands – one radiating heat, the other cooling – representing the sector’s balance of heating and cooling expertise. The initiative calls on individuals, educators, businesses, and governments to celebrate these essential skills in ways that suit their regions.
On June 18, 2025, the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) hosted the World Refrigeration Day event at Salons Hoche in Paris, drawing nearly 120 high-level participants from governments, industry, academia, and international organisations. The event celebrated the pivotal role of refrigeration and heat pump technologies in enhancing human well-being, animal welfare, and climate sustainability.
World Refrigeration Day organisers have launched the “Cool Skills” campaign ahead of the 2025 celebration on June 26, inviting people and organisations across the refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump (RACHP) sector to take part.
The global campaign aims to recognise the real people behind the industry by featuring photos and stories of technicians, engineers, apprentices, administrative and support staff, educators, and innovators. Participants are encouraged to submit images and short descriptions of team members whose work supports the sector’s success.
Organisers emphasise that submissions should feature real professionals—not models or stock images. The selected images will be creatively enhanced with the WRD logo and themed visual effects such as ice or flames. Previous examples include Diarrah from Mali, winner of the first U3ARC–WRD Dr Charity Kpabep Award, and Trevor Matthews from Canada.
The initiative seeks to bring visibility to the individuals who help keep systems running safely and efficiently. Companies, teams, and individuals are encouraged to take part by sharing authentic stories that reflect the skills and dedication across the global RACHP community.
To learn more and join the campaign, visit oficial website.
World Refrigeration Day was officially established in 2019 to raise awareness of how refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat-pump (RACHP) technology improves modern life and contributes to global wellbeing. The initiative was launched through the collaboration of industry trade associations and professional bodies worldwide, united in choosing 26 June — the birth date of William Thomson, Lord Kelvin — as an annual celebration.
The date recognises the critical role of RACHP technologies in areas such as food preservation, medicine, thermal comfort, and industrial processes. Support for the day has come from organisations across the USA, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania. Industry leaders including Steve Gill, who led efforts to establish the day, have emphasised the need for greater public recognition of the sector’s contributions.
“Refrigeration has such a long and fascinating history full of inventors, engineering pioneers, scientists, and industrial entrepreneurs from around the world all of whom deserve to be recognised,” said Steve Gill. “The industry is united in its desire to raise its profile to the general public for all the right reasons and so we were able to build solidarity upon many common goals and finally agree on a date.”
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