Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator, will be at VERGE22 to debut a net-zero cooling cart designed to provide sustainable and affordable cooling for street vendors, while combating food loss, reducing emissions, and improving their livelihoods.
On Wednesday, October 26 at 8 a.m. PT (11 a.m. ET), Trane Technologies’ innovation team will share live from VERGE22 how the company harnessed the collective talents and expertise of employees to design a prototype cart and will invite partners to help scale the solution in developing regions around the world.
Most daunting challenges
“More than 25 million street vendors sell fruits and vegetables in developing economies, and they are often the most vulnerable part of informal food systems,” said Rasha Hasaneen, Vice President of Innovation for Trane Technologies.
Nearly 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food waste"
“Nearly 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food waste, and each year, over 30 percent of the food produced is lost or wasted. This employee-inspired solution uses passive cooling technology to extend the life of food at the point of distribution, which can help dramatically reduce emissions, improve quality of life and support resilient food systems around the world.” In 2021, Trane Technologies and Hasaneen launched Operation Possible, an employee-powered social innovation program helping to solve for some of the world’s most daunting challenges – such as the coexistence of food loss and hunger in low-income communities. The cooling cart is one of the first social innovations to be released.
Product-Related emissions
Another 15% of the world’s emissions come from heating, cooling, and ventilating buildings. Trane Technologies has set bold 2030 Sustainability Commitments and is taking deliberate action to decarbonize homes, buildings, and refrigerated transport with clean, energy-efficient solutions.
At VERGE22, Scott Tew, Trane Technologies’ Vice President of Sustainability, will provide insight into pathways for decarbonizing buildings, including the methodology Trane Technologies is using to identify the strongest levers for decarbonization. Leveraging Trane Technologies’ science-based approach and Gigaton Playbook to calculate and measure absolute and avoided product-related emissions, companies at all stages of their sustainability journeys are encouraged to follow a similar model – creating an inclusive, all-hands-on deck movement towards addressing Scope 3 GHGs in the process.
Customers’ carbon footprints
Trane Technologies’ Gigaton Challenge is the largest validated science-based climate commitment
“Creating pathways for calculating and setting ambitious, science-based carbon reduction goals, with clear governance, are critical components of an impactful sustainability strategy,” said Tew. “It’s important to have both near-term and long-term goals, and track action along the way. We’re proud to be at VERGE22 to share our learnings with other companies and organizations and accelerate climate change solutions.”
Trane Technologies’ Gigaton Challenge is the largest validated science-based climate commitment related to product use emissions, and pledges to reduce one billion metric tons (one gigaton) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from customers’ carbon footprints by 2030.
Purpose-Driven innovation
Trane Technologies will participate in the following sessions at VERGE22:
- Tuesday, October 25 - 9 a.m. PT - How to Calculate Your Scope 3 Emissions.
- Wednesday, October 26 - 7:50 a.m. PT - Purpose-Driven Innovation: Reducing Food Loss While Uplifting Low-Income Communities.
- 9 a.m. PT - How the First Movers Coalition Raises the Bar for Corporate Action on Next-Gen Climate Tech.
- 1:30 p.m. PT - Pathways to Net-Zero Carbon Commercial Buildings.
The Cooling Cart will also be on display in the VERGE22 Microgrid.
