Date: Thursday, 8 June 2023 Time: 13:15 – 14:30 (GMT+2) Event Language: English
Format: In-person Location: Bonn, Germany
Organized by: United Arab Emirates (UAE) COP28 Presidency, United Nations Environment Programme, Cool Coalition, Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)
Description & Objectives:
Cooling is one of the most critical blind spots in today’s climate debate and one of the biggest contributors to global warming. If left unchecked, emissions from cooling are expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, driven by heat waves, population growth, urbanization, and a growing middle class.
Recognizing the vital role of sustainable cooling in tackling climate change, delivering on the energy transition, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the COP28 UAE Presidency announced the development of a Global Cooling Pledge and a menu of options – to be featured prominently at COP28.
Being convened by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) COP28 Presidency, the United Nations Environment Programme’s Cool Coalition, Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), this side event aims to rally momentum for global action and increased ambition on sustainable cooling on the road to a Cool COP28. It will achieve this by showcasing the international collaboration on the Global Cooling Pledge to high-level country representatives and private sector stakeholders. Participants will have the opportunity to share perspectives on the proposed set of commitments under the Global Cooling Pledge, thus supporting the finalization of a “Cool COP Menu of Actions”.
The side event will also showcase national best practices to assess and meet the demand for sustainable cooling through plans, policies, and actions.
Speakers:
- Mr. Dane McQueen, Director, Programs and Partnerships, UAE COP28 Presidency
- Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director-General, IRENA
- Dr. Jonathan Moch, Science and Technology Advisor, U.S. Department of State
- Ms. Saima Shafique, Climate Change Director, Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan
- Mr. Stephen Nzioka, Deputy Director Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy, Kenya
- Mr. Pham Van Tan, Deputy Director General for Climate Change, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam
- Ms. Rosilena Lindo, Undersecretary, National Energy Secretariat, Panama (virtual)
- Ms. Nathalie Flores Gonzalez, Director of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Vice-Ministry of International Cooperation, Dominican Republic
- Ms. Maryke van Staden, Director of carbonn Climate Center, ICLEI
- Ms. Avipsa Mahapatra, Climate Campaign Lead, EIA