Global cooling demand is projected to triple by 2050 under current trajectories, significantly increasing energy demand and emissions. At the same time, more than one billion people still lack access to adequate cooling. Rural populations in low- and middle-income countries face some of the highest exposure to extreme heat, while having the lowest access to reliable electricity, efficient appliances, and climate-responsive building design.
While rural cooling discussions often focus on cold chains and agricultural productivity, access to sustainable space cooling and thermal comfort in homes, schools, and health facilities remains significantly under-addressed. Rising temperatures are already affecting health outcomes, labour productivity, and learning conditions in heat-exposed rural communities.
To address this gap, Energy Saving Trust, co-Secretariat of Efficiency for Access, has developed Cooling the Last Mile: Landscape Mapping of Space Cooling Solutions for Rural Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, a new report that aims to help development actors, donors and policymakers to improve decision‑making when designing and implementing space and thermal comfort cooling initiatives in rural areas.
This Cool Talk marks the official launch of the report and will situate its findings within the broader climate, energy access, and resilience agenda. The discussion will explore practical pathways to scale sustainable rural space cooling, drawing on implementation experience, policy insights, and financing approaches needed to accelerate deployment at national and regional levels.
