Overview

The Private Sector Working Group brings together leading businesses to accelerate the adoption of efficient, climate-friendly cooling solutions worldwide. With over 20 active corporate members, the Working Group fosters innovation, investment, and policy alignment to accelerate the transition to sustainable cooling across:

  • Space Cooling (residential, commercial, and industrial buildings)
  • District Cooling (urban-scale cooling networks)
  • Cold Chains (food systems, agriculture, and medical supplies)
  • Sustainable Cooling Business Models (Cooling-as-a-Service and circular economy approaches)

Over the past years, the Private Sector Working Group has spearheaded several high-impact initiatives, including:

  • Development of Corporate Refrigerant Transition Plans to phase out high-GWP refrigerants
  • Scaling Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS) models to reduce upfront costs and boost efficiency
  • Engaging financial institutions to unlock investment for cooling solutions

Through collaboration, policy advocacy, and innovative financing, the Private Sector Working Group is aligning corporate action with global climate commitments, including the Global Cooling Pledge.


Key Objectives

The Private Sector Working Group advances the global cooling transition by focusing on:

  1. Business Leadership & Market Transformation

    Engaging industry leaders to drive innovation and investment in energy-efficient, low-GWP cooling solutions.

  2. Policy & Financial Solutions

    Unlocking investment and integrating corporate climate strategies with financial mechanisms to scale sustainable cooling.

  3. Strategic Knowledge Sharing

    Leveraging research, case studies, and best practices to guide public and private decision-makers.

  4. Global Cooling Pledge Alignment

    Support implementation by engaging businesses in corporate action, training local value chains, and scaling industry participation.

  5. Technology & Innovation Acceleration

    Promoting passive cooling, natural refrigerants, and digital/smart cooling systems.


Key Activities & Focus Areas

Corporate Commitments & Action Plans

  • Expand corporate participation in CaaS and net-zero cooling initiatives.
  • Showcase business commitments through global advocacy and outreach.

Scaling Innovative Financing Models

  • Support financial institutions in developing cooling-specific investment frameworks.
  • Collaborate with partners to scale market-ready solutions.

Advocacy & Policy Engagement

  • Support governments and businesses in integrating sustainable cooling into national policies, regulations, and corporate climate strategies.
  • Advance cooling finance & market incentives by aligning private-sector action with climate frameworks (Montreal Protocol, Kigali Amendment, Global Cooling Pledge).

Cold Chain & Sustainable Supply Chains

  • Strengthen cold chain infrastructure to enhance food security, medical logistics, and sustainable industrial development.
  • Support local manufacturing & job creation by promoting energy-efficient cold chain technologies.

Industry Reports & Research

  • Produce knowledge products and case studies to inform data-driven decisions.
  • Partner for market research and implementation roadmaps.


Leadership

The Private Sector Working Group is led by:

  • Andrea Voigt, Head of Global Public Affairs & Communication, Danfoss Climate Solutions
  • Bob Hinkle, President & CEO, Metrus Energy
  • Paul Huggins, Associate Director, Carbon Trust

Facilitator: Marisofi Giannouli, Communications Lead, UNEP Cool Coalition


Resources & Reports

Carbon Trust Reports on Sustainable Cooling


Get Involved

Want to drive sustainable cooling with us? Join the Private Sector Working Group and collaborate on finance, policy, and innovation!
Contact us to learn more about financing strategies, policy engagement, and joint actions for sustainable cooling worldwide.

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