From Net Zero to Energy Security: Jane Jones Previews the Cold Chain Climate & Energy Summit 2026
As the cold chain faces increasing pressure from climate change, rising energy demand and the race to net zero, the Cold Chain Climate and Energy Summit has become a must attend date in the industry calendar. Taking place on 19 March 2026, the summit brings together decision makers, sustainability leaders and solution providers to tackle the most urgent challenges facing the sector and to celebrate the organisations leading the way.
Ahead of the event, we caught up with Jane Jones, Events Manager at the Cold Chain Federation, to find out what makes this summit unique, why Energy has been added to the agenda this year, and what attendees and exhibitors can expect from the agenda, speakers and Sustainability Awards.
What is the Climate & Energy Summit, and how does it differ from other CCF events?
The Cold Chain Climate & Energy Summit is the only event in the CCF calendar that focusses solely on the issues faced by the UK cold chain as a result of climate change and energy-efficiency is a big part of that. It is also the only CCF event that celebrates the successes of member businesses and individuals who are driving sustainability and energy efficiency with the presentation of the Cold Chain Sustainability Awards.
The event used to be called the Climate Summit, why has ‘Energy’ been added this year, and what does that mean for attendees?
We have previously explored climate change and the impact of global warming on the cold chain. Warmer temperatures have an impact on cold chain operators’ energy usage and since they are such huge consumers of energy, it is vital that we address the subject at this event.
What are the key themes for 2026?
This year we have three themes: Net Zero and the cold chain’s role in meeting this challenge, decarbonising refrigerated transport and energy security. All are key policy areas for CCF that we consistently lobby government about on behalf of our members and the wider industry.
Who can attendees expect to see, and are there any familiar faces returning this year?
We are delighted to have a fantastic speaker line up. Justin Rowlatt, the BBC’s Climate Editor will host the day and also give us his views on UK energy security in a keynote speech. We also welcome Philip Shelley, the national lead for net zero food at NHS England, Kate Broome the Sustainability and Social Impact Director at Kuehne+Nagel and Dr Emma Guthris the Chief Executive of the Hydrogen Energy Association, all of whom will be sharing their expertise around net zero, decarbonisation and sustainability. Tom Southall, CCF’s Deputy Chief Executive will return to the stage again this year to discuss what is needed from government to help accelerate the decarbonisation of TRU’s and there will be some familiar industry faces on the discussion panels. You can view the full agenda here.
What are the big issues or opportunities in 2026 that the programme will help attendees tackle?
The UK government is committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and the agenda will help cold chain operators understand some of the opportunities available for them to meet this and their own net zero and sustainability targets, both in cold storage and refrigerated transport.
Who can attend or exhibit at the Summit?
Anyone who works in the cold chain can attend, however this event is most relevant to those in a sustainability or energy role and the senior managers and business owners who ultimately make the decisions.
Any company with a sustainability / energy efficiency focus working across the entire cold chain can exhibit. That covers cold store solutions such as sustainable energy, cold store construction, material handling, warehouse management systems and refrigeration plus technologies that make for “greener” refrigerated transport, like more efficient temperature-controlled trailers, decarbonisation of TRU’s or electric vehicles. We also welcome cold chain operators who provide essential services to other operators in the sector.
Why do organisations choose to exhibit here, and if someone is interested, how can they get in touch?
This event attracts an audience of around 200 cold chain professionals – decision-makers and influencers from businesses working in the cold chain. It’s a great event for networking, not too big, not too small and we have built in breaks throughout the day to facilitate face to face conversations. At the time of writing we only have a few spaces left, so if you are interested I would recommend contacting Rachel Nunn straightaway: [email protected].
Where is the summit being held, and what’s special about the venue?
We return the The Slate, a conference venue on the University of Warwick campus. This is a great venue for a conference as it is centrally located with good transport links. It is full of natural light and, aligning with our sustainability focus, has a BREEAM “Excellent” rating for design, construction and operation.
What’s your favourite part about organising this event?
I think I’ve said before that it’s when an event goes live and all the hard work behind the scenes comes to life, and this event is no different in that regard. As with every event, I love catching up with familiar faces from our industry and meeting new ones.
Will the Sustainability Awards winners be announced at the Summit again?
Yes, each session has a dedicated section for our awards. I like the way we spread the presentations across the day, it makes for a much more enjoyable experience and it’s great to hear about the fantastic achievements being made in sustainability across our industry. You can see the latest on the Awards here.
Why should people book their tickets now rather than wait?
This event is always a sellout and I cannot guarantee that there will be places available closer to the event. I would definitely say don’t wait to the week before to book on as you will probably be disappointed!
Register
If you’re interested in attending the Cold Chain Climate & Energy Summit, you can find out more about the event here and register for your ticket today. Members are entitled to one free ticket per member company, non-members can purchase tickets online.
If you’re interested in exhibitor or sponsorship opportunities, you can get in touch with Rachel Nunn, Membership Engagement Manager to discuss your options: [email protected].
We can’t wait to see you there!
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