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Background

This event marks the formal launch of the Beat the Heat Implementation Drive and the beginning of a new phase of implementation to accelerate global action on extreme heat and sustainable cooling. It signals a shift from commitment to delivery, mobilizing cities, countries, and communities to translate the targets of the Global Cooling Pledge into tangible, high-impact solutions.

Extreme heat is now the deadliest climate hazard, with exposure increasing dramatically year on year. According to the Global Cooling Watch, half the world’s population experienced 30 or more additional days of extreme heat between May 2024 and May 2025. Without immediate action, emissions from cooling are projected to triple by 2050, potentially accounting for 10% of global emissions. Meanwhile, 1.2 billion people still lack access to sustainable cooling, leaving them vulnerable to heat-related health impacts, food insecurity, and economic loss. These risks are particularly severe in urban areas, where the heat burden intersects with inequality, aging populations, and fragile infrastructure.

In response, sustainable cooling has emerged as one of the most effective and scalable solutions to the climate crisis. Unlike conventional cooling approaches, which can worsen emissions and widen access gaps, sustainable cooling integrates energy efficiency, passive design, nature-based solutions, and clean technologies. It protects vulnerable populations from extreme heat while contributing to global mitigation, adaptation, and development goals.

The Beat the Heat Implementation Drive is a joint initiative of the COP30 Presidency and the UNEP-led Cool Coalition. It operationalizes the Global Cooling Pledge—the world’s first collective commitment to reduce cooling-related emissions by 68% and expand access to sustainable cooling by 2050—through local delivery. Inspired by the COP30 Presidency’s “mutirão” approach, the Drive promotes collective effort, shared responsibility, and cooperation across all levels of government and society.

The launch event will be an opportunity to understand what the Beat the Heat Implementation Drive is, the direction in which participating cities and countries will be working, and how this initiative will support them in delivering on sustainable cooling and heat resilience. It will also be a chance to hear directly from countries and cities joining the Drive—what actions they are taking, the challenges they are facing, and the support they need to scale up impact. In addition, partners will share their contributions to the collective effort, including the solutions, technologies, and resources they are offering to help communities build heat resilience and expand access to sustainable cooling.

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Objectives

• Formally launch the Beat the Heat Implementation Drive as a joint initiative of the COP30 Presidency and the UNEP-led Cool Coalition, marking the start of a new phase of implementation focused on delivering heat resilience and sustainable cooling solutions on the ground.
• Outline the direction of action for participating cities and countries, including key implementation pathways such as urban heat vulnerability assessments, nature-based and passive cooling projects, and procurement of low global warming potential and high-efficiency cooling technologies in public buildings.

• Showcase and celebrate the participating countries and cities, highlighting their leadership, planned actions, and the challenges they face in advancing sustainable cooling and heat resilience.

• Showcase partnerships by engaging technical and financial collaborators to support implementation, scale up impact, and enhance delivery capacity in participating cities.

• Demonstrate alignment with global climate and development frameworks, including the Global Cooling Pledge, the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat, the Kigali Amendment, and the Paris Agreement.

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Agenda

14:30–14:35 | Welcome & Event Overview

14:35–14:55 | Opening Segment: Launch of the Beat the Heat Implementation Drive

14:55–15:05 | Keynote Speech

15:05–15:30 | Roundtable 1: Voices from the Beat the Heat pioneers

15:30–15:50 | Roundtable 2: Reflections from Strategic Partners

15:50–16:00 | Closing Remarks

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