News analysis with BESA
Refcom helps raise profile of ‘invisible sector’
The UK’s primary F Gas register Refcom played a key role in the first World Refrigeration Day (WRD) as co-host with the Institute of Refrigeration (IoR) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
transmitted around the world and followed events broadcast from Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and China before the baton was handed on to Africa, the US and Canada. WRD was launched to raise the profile of the
H
refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sectors, which the organisers said remained largely invisible to the public despite its pivotal role in making modern life possible. “Our industry is a hidden miracle,” Mr Fox told his
ead of Refcom Graeme Fox (opposite) kicked off events in Europe with a presentation from the East of England Showground* that was
global audience, pointing out its pivotal role in food storage and transportation; healthcare, the development and dissemination of medicines; and IT and data management. “Without cooling you would just have to throw
away your smart phones because they wouldn’t work,” he said. “Even the international space station uses ammonia cooling and our technologies will be essential to achieving carbon reduction targets.” BESA chief executive David Frise said it was a
“massively underestimated industry” that was responsible for making parts of the world habitable.
Challenge
“In the next 10 years, there will be more air conditioning units installed than in the whole history of the industry since 1902. This is a massive sector that is not going away and the challenge now is to make it more environmentally friendly and energy efficient,” he said.
Held on the 195th anniversary of the birth of
refrigeration pioneer Lord Kelvin (June 26), the theme was #WREFD19 Diversity – diversity of applications, people, careers, locations, technology, science, engineered solutions, and innovation.
Services Association (BESA) President Tim Hopkinson.
SCOTLAND TO LEAD ON CLIMATE CHANGE S
cotland has more potential than the rest of the UK to meet long-term carbon reduction targets, according to Building Engineering
Speaking at the annual BESA Scotland Awards
for apprentices in the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh, Mr Hopkinson said the fact that Scotland had set a net zero carbon emissions target five years ahead of the rest of the UK was a huge opportunity for building engineering firms. “The rest of the UK is looking to Scotland for
leadership,” he told the audience of more than 200 people in the Holyrood building. “This is a fantastic opportunity for BESA Scotland members. You have both the opportunity and the responsibility to turn political intentions into real, practical measures.” Scottish Parliament member Colin Beattie, who hosted the event, said Scotland was “extremely proud” of its building engineering industry, which he said was making a vital and growing contribution to the economy. He highlighted the role of apprenticeships in ensuring the country had a workforce equipped to meet future challenges. “There is very strong engagement with
employers here in Scotland and [the Parliament] is delighted to host BESA’s awards because supporting young people is a fundamental part of ensuring companies have the skills they need to achieve their business goals.” The MSP for Midlothian North said that Brexit
presented a “unique challenge” and congratulated BESA for being “so proactive in presenting information and support to the sector”.
14 July 2019
BESA Scotland Award winners
Scottish
Parliament member
Colin Beattie
“Training is a transformative process for young
people,” said Mr Beattie. “Being named as among the best in your field [by winning a BESA Scotland award] is a considerable honour and you should be extremely proud of your achievements.” The Scottish Parliament is to legislate to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2045 because the Committee on Climate Change believes Scotland’s renewables sector has greater growth potential than the rest of the UK. Its plans also include significant increases in the amount of home heating delivered by low carbon technologies and major investment in carbon capture and storage. Mr Hopkinson said BESA Scotland was already making “great progress on a number of fronts that will support this huge effort”. “For example, the National Occupational
Standards that will underpin qualifications and apprentices in Scotland for the next five years have received strong support from employers. This is an excellent example of how the Association works closely with companies across the sector to ensure you have access to the right quality of apprentices and the right kind of skills to equip your businesses for the challenges ahead,” he said. BESA Scotland also stages 25 employer forums every year covering refrigeration and air conditioning; ventilation hygiene; facilities management; and health & safety. More than 500 employers have already attended these events, which were established by BESA Scotland chair Rab Fletcher.
www.theBESA.com
www.heatingandventilating.net
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