Rising temperatures, urbanisation and economic growth are driving rapidly increasing demand for cooling across Viet Nam and the wider region. Sustainable cooling is therefore becoming increasingly important for climate mitigation, energy security, public health, food systems and resilience to extreme heat.
According to Viet Nam’s National Sustainable Cooling Plan (2025), the cooling sector accounted for an estimated 25.2% of national electricity consumption in 2022 and generated approximately 64.7 MtCO₂e in greenhouse gas emissions. Under the baseline scenario, cooling-related emissions were projected to increase by 8.6% by 2025 and could reach approximately 91.7 MtCO₂e by 2030 under business-as-usual conditions, with cooling demand expected to continue growing towards 2050.
Addressing these challenges requires an integrated approach that combines improved energy efficiency, the adoption of low-GWP refrigerants, effective refrigerant lifecycle management, enhanced operation and maintenance practices, and broader access to sustainable cooling solutions.
These priorities are closely linked to Viet Nam’s implementation of the Kigali Amendment, its NDC under the Paris Agreement, and its commitment to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050. Viet Nam has progressively strengthened its sustainable cooling agenda through national policies, planning and technical cooperation, with contributions from government agencies, international organizations, development partners, industry and technical institutions.
The next challenge is to move from plans and commitments toward implementation at scale. This will require effective policy and institutional coordination, digital and technical innovation, viable financing and business models, stronger refrigerant lifecycle management, and sustained partnerships between government, industry, finance and international partners. The COP31 side event will provide a platform for Viet Nam and its partners to share experience and explore practical approaches for accelerating this transition.