The Global Cooling Pledge sets ambitious targets for energy-efficient cooling, passive design, and HFC phase-down. Yet only about 25% of countries have the policies or regulations needed to act. Coordination between national and local actors is limited, creating gaps in delivery. These challenges hinder progress toward expanding sustainable cooling access and achieving Pledge targets. The Enabling Pledge Implementation for Cooling (EPIC) Facility provides targeted support to bridge policy, finance, and implementation gaps.

EPIC

About EPIC Facility

To address these gaps and accelerate implementation of the Global Cooling Pledge, UNEP’s Cool Coalition established the EPIC Facility. EPIC will provide targeted, fast-track technical assistance and pilot technology deployments in Pledge Signatory countries and cities to inform sustainable cooling policy,  de-risk investment environments and drive market transformation through scalable, sustainable cooling solutions.

The facility consists of two components:

  • EPIC Deploy, a pilot deployment facility
  • EPIC Solutions, a technical assistance facility

 

EPIC Deploy

The Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (IMEES), in partnership with the Cool Coalition, launched EPIC Deploy to supports countries in turning Global Cooling Pledge commitments into tangible action. EPIC Deploy identifies and implements transformative, sustainable cooling technologies to scale market solutions and inform policy through measurable results. EPIC Deploy combines industry leadership and technological innovation to help meet country cooling needs through solutions with high potential for market transformation and real-world impact, such as centralized chillers, cold chain systems, and energy-efficient, renewable-powered, digital solutions.

The cooling market in developing economies is expected to grow from around USD 300 billion today to at least USD 600 billion per year by 2050, with the fastest expansion in Africa, where it could grow sixfold to USD 105 billion by 2050. EPIC Deploy leverages this rapidly expanding market to identify, test, and scale technologies that generate evidence and business models capable of unlocking investment and transforming markets at scale. The methodology combines techno-economic market assessments with open calls for proposals to identify transformative technologies and partners for each country. Selected pilots are then deployed and monitored to generate evidence that informs national and sub-national policies, strengthens enabling environments, and catalyzes market transformation and investment.

EPIC Solutions

A technical assistance facility that helps national and sub-national Global Cooling Pledge signatories turn commitments into action through technical guidance, policy support, capacity building, and feasibility assessments. Requests are submitted online, drawing on the dynamic EPIC Solutions Catalogue of thematic support areas. Submitted requests are reviewed by the Secretariat and matched with appropriate partners for implementation within an annual request cycle.

Who can access support?

Signatory countries

National governments that have endorsed the Global Cooling Pledge

Signatory sub-nationals

Signatory Cities, states, counties and regions that have endorsed the Global Cooling Pledge can receive technical support under EPIC Solutions via Beat the Heat.

What support can be accessed?

Support can be accessed via the EPIC Solutions Catalogue, a curated menu of priority thematic areas. Each area offers a range of technical assistance options that national and sub-national signatories can select based on their specific needs and readiness. The thematic support areas for national and sub-national entities are shown below.

National Cooling Action Plans (NCAPs)

Support to design or implement comprehensive strategies that integrate sustainable cooling into national development priorities.

NDC integration

Technical assistance to embed cooling measures in climate commitments and enhance ambition through mitigation and adaptation actions.

Building efficiency and energy codes

Guidance to develop, update, or enforce building codes that improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort in buildings.

Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and equipment efficiency​

Support to establish or strengthen MEPS for cooling appliances to reduce energy demand and emissions.

Public Procurement

Assistance in designing procurement policies that prioritize efficient, climate-friendly cooling solutions in public and private sectors.

Lifecycle Refrigerant Management (LRM)

Technical input to strengthen policies and systems for refrigerant recovery, recycling, and safe disposal.

Renewable energy

Support to unlock investment and integrate renewable energy solutions, including district cooling, to reduce emissions and operational costs.

Sustainable cold chains

Support to design and implement energy-efficient, low-emission cold storage and transport systems.

EPIC Solutions operates on an annual request cycle. The submission window is open for two months, during which each national or sub-national entity can submit one request per cycle for a single thematic support area. Once submitted, requests will be reviewed by the Secretariat and matched with appropriate partners for implementation within the annual cycle.

 

To request support for EPIC Solutions, please fill in this form.

Submit a request