Date: 09 October 2023 Time: 11:00 – 12:30 (GMT+3) Event Language: English
Format: In-person Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Organized by: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNEP-led Cool Coalition, Climate Champions Team
Description:
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is already the hottest and driest on the planet. Yet temperatures continue to rise, and heatwaves are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Without coordinated international action on emissions in the region, by 2100 temperatures could rise by up to 6.4°C.
Higher temperatures are triggering a notable increase in peak electricity demand during summer with more extensive use of air conditioners in the region. Access to sustainable cooling solutions is therefore crucial for ensuring the well-being, productivity, and resilience of communities and economies.
Against this backdrop and recognizing the adaptation and mitigation benefits of sustainable cooling, the COP28 Presidency of the United Arab Emirates is spearheading the Global Cooling Pledge with support from the UNEP-led Cool Coalition. The implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) could avoid up to 0.4 °C of global warming by the end of this century. By achieving the Global Cooling Pledge, the climate benefits can be doubled while mitigating 60% of cooling related GHG emissions – or 62 billion tonnes equivalent between 2022-2050. It will also improve access to cooling for resilience to rising heat, greater food security and local development.
This event aims to demonstrate leadership and progress from the MENA region in accelerating the transition to sustainable cooling in the run up to a Cool COP28. It will showcase regional commitments to the Global Cooling Pledge and also present an opportunity to strengthen the linkages between the Global Cooling Pledge and the Sharm-el-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda.
Objectives:
- Raise awareness of sustainable cooling and share best practices: Increase understanding of the importance of sustainable cooling in MENA’s climate action agenda and its potential to contribute to sustainable development goals by sharing best policy frameworks, regulations, and financial mechanisms for acceleration of sustainable technologies and realization of the benefits of sustainable cooling.
- Increase awareness on the Global Cooling Pledge to catalyze commitments from MENA countries: By showcasing champion countries and priority actions in the MENA region, the event will aim to secure concrete commitments on sustainable cooling at COP28.
- Facilitate collaboration: Provide a platform for stakeholders, including policymakers, businesses, researchers, and civil society organizations, to exchange knowledge, ideas, and experiences, fostering partnerships and collaboration for sustainable cooling initiatives and investments in
- Strengthen linkages: between the Global Cooling Pledge and Sharm-el-Sheikh Adaptation agenda.
