On 30 September 2025, the Green Cooling Initiative (GCI) will host a webinar titled Females for Future: Women in the Cooling Sector, focusing on how to overcome gender barriers in the global refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The online event will take place via MS Teams from 1:00pm to 2:00pm UTC.
Although the cooling sector employs more than 12 million people worldwide and faces a shortage of skilled labour in many regions, women remain significantly underrepresented. According to the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR), only 6% of members in national refrigeration and air conditioning organizations are women. Those present often encounter discrimination and other career-limiting challenges.
Elke Schimmel, the author of a new report commissioned by the Green Cooling Initiative, will present findings from interviews with professionals in Bangladesh, Colombia, and Kenya. Her research combines personal experiences with global data analysis and offers practical recommendations on how to support women throughout their careers in the sector.
The webinar will open with remarks by Ellen Michel from GIZ Proklima, followed by Schimmel’s presentation and a Q&A session with all participants.
