Background

Cooling in a warming world has become both a mitigation and adaptation imperative. Today, 1.1 billion people remain at high risk from unmet cooling needs and rising heat exposure. At the same time, the global capacity of cooling systems is expected to triple by 2050, with related electricity demand doubling and greenhouse gas emissions projected to reach 6.8 GtCO₂-eq, or 10% of total projected emissions (UNEP, 2023).

The urgency and untapped opportunity of sustainable cooling led to the launch of the Global Cooling Pledge at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, as part of the Presidency’s Climate Action Agenda. Since then, the Pledge has been signed by 72 countries and 80 non-state actors, with the objective of cutting over 60% of projected cooling-related emissions by 2050 while expanding access to sustainable cooling for up to 3.5 billion additional people. Under Italy’s G7 Presidency, the commitment was reinforced in the 2024 Turin Communiqué, and it has been strongly supported by the UN Secretary-General in his Call to Action on Extreme Heat.

In this context, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (IMEES), in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is launching EPIC Deploy – Enabling Pledge Implementation for Cooling under the UNEP Cool Coalition. EPIC Deploy aims to accelerate sustainable cooling for both climate adaptation and mitigation, helping countries translate Global Cooling Pledge commitments into practice by identifying and implementing scalable, sustainable cooling technologies that generate evidence, transform markets, and inform policy through measurable results. The initiative brings together innovation and practical impact, with strong potential to advance sustainable and efficient cooling solutions globally. This session will present the EPIC workplan and explore how industry leadership and innovation can help meet country needs through transformative technologies with high potential for market transformation and real-world impact. 

Objectives

• Present the EPIC Deploy Workplan and Vision outlining its goals, phases, and deliverables to support Global Cooling Pledge implementation. 

• Highlight specific sustainable cooling needs shared by countries and showcase scalable innovative technologies from industry partners 

• Bring together governments, industry, and technical partners to identify collaboration opportunities and align on next steps for EPIC Deploy. 

Agenda

11:00 – 11:05
Welcome Remarks
Alessandro Guerri, Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security

11:05 – 11:10
Remarks by Global Cooling Pledge Co-chair
UAE or COP30 Presidency

11:10 – 11:20
Introductory Remarks – EPIC Deploy Workplan Overview
Mario Motta, Politecnico di Milano (Polimi)

11:20 – 12:00
From Needs to Solutions
Moderator: UNEP Cool Coalition

11:20 – 11:40
Country Needs
Representatives from Brazil, and two among Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya

11:40 – 11:55
Transformative Solutions

• Clivet
• Frigorbox
• Danfoss
• Trane

11:55 – 12:00
Closing Remarks
UNEP Cool Coalition

Resources