From Commitments to Action: Cool Coalition Steering Committee Sets Path for 2025–2026
In a year marked by growing momentum for sustainable cooling, the newly-constituted Cool Coalition Steering Committee convened on 3 December 2024 for its introductory call, setting the stage for its work through 2026. The meeting came on the heels of the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), which was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the Cool Coalition’s presence put a spotlight on the urgent need for climate-friendly cooling.
“We’ve succeeded in placing cooling on the global agenda. Now it’s time to deliver,” noted Gulnara Roll, Head of the Cities Unit at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as she opened the Cool Coalition Steering Committee. Her remarks set a determined tone for the session, urging members to move from advocacy to implementation.
Axum Teferra, Senior Associate Director of the Clean Cooling Collaborative at the ClimateWorks Foundation, welcomed her fellow Executive Committee Members:
- Andrea Voight, Head of Global Climate Affairs at Danfoss Climate Solutions;
- Brian Dean, Head of Energy Efficiency and Cooling at Sustainable Energy for All,
represented by Ben Hartley, Programme Manager at Sustainable Energy for All; and - Graeme Maidment, Co-lead at the United Kingdom’s (UK) Mission of Innovation.
What is the Cool Coalition Steering Committee?
The Steering Committee acts as the core governance body of the Cool Coalition, providing strategic direction and oversight. Representing diverse regions, sectors, and expertise, including governments, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, and academia, reflects the breadth of the global cooling community. The Steering Committee is tasked with guiding the Workplan and Strategy, endorsing key initiatives, and fostering progress toward the Cool Coalition’s goals of advancing sustainable cooling as part of global climate action.
Key Highlights from COP29 and 2024 Achievements
The meeting began with a review of outcomes from COP29 where the Cool Coalition’s presence brought cooling into sharp focus during events held at the Buildings and Cooling Pavillion, and the high-level Ministerial Roundtable “Delivering on the Global Cooling Pledge”. Among others, at the Ministerial Roundtable Grenada became the 72nd Signatory to the Global Cooling Pledge, alongside an additional fifteen cities joined as subnational Signatories. Moreover, the UK announced a $15 million pledge in funding for sustainable cooling innovations, and Brazil was named Co-chair of the Global Cooling Pledge Contact Group. Additionally, the 2030 Global Cooling Pledge Implementation Strategy and the 2024 Annual Global Cooling Pledge Progress Report were adopted, setting a clear framework for reducing cooling-related emissions and advancing implementation globally.
Setting Priorities for 2025–2026
The focus of the Steering Committee Meeting then shifted to future priorities, as Shikha Bhasin, Senior Advisor to the UNEP Cool Coalition, presented the 2025–2026 Workplan. She outlined goals to enhance actionable knowledge, identify transformative projects, and address key challenges, such as integrating cooling strategies into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and mobilizing additional Signatories to the Global Cooling Pledge. The UNEP Cool Coalition aims to prioritize high-impact areas, support the development of National Cooling Action Plans (NCAPs), and drive political momentum through a robust and collaborative strategy.
Collaboration in Action: Steering Committee Insights and Contributions
The third part of the meeting was a discussion amongst the Committee Members. Moderated by Executive Committee Members Andrea Voight and Graeme Maidment, the conversation was framed around exploring how the Steering Committee can support countries towards implementing the Global Cooling Pledge.
Among the key contributions, Rusmir Musić, Global Lead for Cooling at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), highlighted his organization’s efforts to mobilize private sector financing and increase awareness about sustainable cooling solutions. He noted that these efforts are particularly focused on West Africa, where the private sector plays a critical role in addressing infrastructure gaps.
Jean Francis Sempore, Director-General of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), emphasized the organization’s focus on advancing refrigeration systems in the same region through strategic partnerships and capacity-building initiatives.
Building on this regional momentum, Praphul Chander Sharma, Joint Director at the International Solar Alliance (ISA), shared plans to deploy solar-powered cold storage chains in island nations, such as Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros, and Fiji. This initiative aims to improve food preservation and reduce emissions in some of the most vulnerable areas to climate change.
Etienne Gonin, Sustainable Cooling, Chemicals and Waste Management Technical Specialist at UNDP, highlighted ongoing support for district cooling in Grenada, Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica under a new EU-funded project. He also mentioned the AGORA project, which contributes to cooling initiatives in Ghana and Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Prima Madan, Director of Cooling and Energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), advocated for the creation of a dedicated finance working group. She expressed her willingness to co-lead this effort, stressing the importance of resource mobilization in scaling sustainable cooling solutions globally. Madan also suggested the development of a shared database of experts on heat and cooling to facilitate planning and collaboration for future initiatives.
These interventions demonstrated the Coalition’s ability to bring together diverse expertise and resources, fostering a collaborative environment to address complex challenges. Members highlighted the importance of tailored solutions for regional and sector-specific needs, while emphasizing the collective responsibility to ensure that cooling technologies are both sustainable and accessible.
Building Momentum: Next Steps and the Road to 2025
As the session concluded, Lily Riahi, Global Coordinator of the UNEP Cool Coalition, offered closing remarks, thanking participants for their active engagement and dedication. She underscored the importance of maintaining momentum and collaboration as the Cool Coalition Steering Committee prepares for its next gathering in February 2025.
“The UNEP Cool Coalition enters 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose,” she said. “Guided by a clear strategy, a growing network of partners, and unwavering commitment, it is poised to lead the charge in advancing sustainable cooling as a critical component of global climate action.”