To mark International Women’s Day 2026, the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) highlighted the voices, experiences and perspectives of women and allies working across the refrigeration, air conditioning and cooling sector. Throughout the week, the organisation invited its community, corporate members, private members and the IIR team to share views on diversity and the role of women in shaping the future of sustainable cooling.
As part of the campaign, IIR corporate members shared advice for young women starting careers in the cooling sector, focusing on confidence in technical expertise, mentorship and taking on new challenges. According to the IIR, their messages also stressed persistence, curiosity and the importance of supportive professional networks.
Private members shared perspectives on why diversity in science and engineering is important for the future of cooling technologies. The IIR said these contributions highlighted how diverse perspectives and inclusive research environments can support creativity, problem-solving and the development of more sustainable refrigeration solutions.
The IIR team also responded to the question of why women are important in shaping the future of refrigeration. Their responses, according to the organisation, emphasised that diversity strengthens innovation, broadens perspectives in research and engineering, and supports the development of cooling solutions that benefit communities worldwide.
The IIR said it supports this objective through its Careers in Refrigeration Working Group (CaRe), which brings together experts focused on professional opportunities, inclusion and diversity in the global refrigeration community. The organisation also highlighted the publication Women in Cooling: A Worldwide Survey, which examines the experiences, challenges and opportunities faced by women working across refrigeration and cooling industries worldwide.
