Source: UNEP
Subject: Environment
Context: The UNEP launched the Global Cooling Watch 2025 report at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, warning that global cooling demand could triple by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario, potentially doubling emissions and straining power systems.
About Global Cooling Watch 2025 Report:
- What it is?
- The Global Cooling Watch 2025 is UNEP’s second global assessment on the environmental, economic, and equity dimensions of cooling, providing the scientific foundation for the Global Cooling Pledge.
- Published by: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at COP30 (2025).
- Aim: To analyse global cooling trends, project future emissions, and propose a “Sustainable Cooling Pathway” to achieve near-zero emissions while ensuring equitable access to cooling worldwide
Key Trends Identified:
- Rising Cooling Demand: Global cooling capacity is projected to rise 2.6 times (22 TW → 58 TW) by 2050, driven by rapid urbanization, income growth, and intensifying heatwaves, particularly in developing nations.
- Emission Surge: Without strong policy intervention, cooling-related GHG emissions may reach 10.5 billion tons of CO₂e by 2050, nearly double 2022 levels, threatening to offset gains from other climate actions.
- Developing Country Growth: Cooling demand in Article 5 countries (developing nations) is set to increase fourfold, highlighting a widening divide in energy use and infrastructure readiness between rich and poor economies.
- Energy Consumption: Global electricity use for cooling may rise from 5,000 TWh (2022) to 18,000 TWh (2050), straining power grids and escalating peak load demands, especially in tropical regions.
- Heat Inequality: Over 2 billion people in low-income households remain vulnerable to extreme heat exposure due to lack of access to affordable, efficient cooling technologies.
- Passive Cooling Potential: Integrating passive cooling design—like reflective roofing and urban greening—can lower indoor temperatures by up to 8°C and cut energy use by 15–55%, offering scalable climate adaptation.
- HFC Transition: Phasing down high-global-warming refrigerants (HFCs) and adopting low-GWP alternatives could eliminate up to 0.4°C of projected global warming this century.
- Global Cooling Pledge Progress: So far, 72 nations and 80 organizations have joined the Global Cooling Pledge, collectively aiming for a 68% emission reduction in the cooling sector by 2050.
Successes:
- Strengthened global collaboration through the Global Cooling Pledge, harmonizing standards and accelerating knowledge sharing among nations.
- Mainstreaming of passive cooling measures in building codes and urban policies, especially in Asia and Africa.
- Rapid technological progress in hybrid and low-energy cooling systems, improving energy efficiency by up to 50%.
- Enhanced private sector participation in manufacturing and financing sustainable cooling technologies.
- Emerging Tiered Access Frameworks are improving cooling equity and resilience for low-income and heat-vulnerable populations.
Limitations:
- Persistent inequality in cooling access, with millions in tropical developing regions still unprotected from lethal heat exposure.
- Insufficient adaptation finance, as current funding meets less than 20% of global cooling resilience needs.
- Policy fragmentation across sectors—energy, housing, and environment—hampers unified cooling governance.
- Delayed HFC phase-down and poor refrigerant disposal continue to drive high direct emissions.
- Dependence on fossil-based electricity undermines gains from efficiency and refrigerant transition efforts.
UNEP Recommendations:
- Adopt a Sustainable Cooling Pathway combining passive design, efficient appliances, and rapid clean energy integration.
- Accelerate refrigerant phase-down through Kigali Amendment implementation and enforce full lifecycle refrigerant recovery.
- Mobilize green finance via concessional lending, PPPs, and climate bonds to expand access to sustainable cooling.
- Mandate passive cooling standards in national building and urban planning regulations.
- Ensure equitable access by subsidizing efficient cooling for vulnerable communities and heat-stressed regions.
Conclusion:
The Global Cooling Watch 2025 underscores that unchecked cooling demand could derail global climate goals. A coordinated shift toward efficient, equitable, and low-emission cooling is essential. If implemented urgently, UNEP’s pathway could cut 97% of future emissions and secure a climate-safe, heat-resilient future.
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