Cooling is rapidly becoming one of the defining challenges of sustainable development in a warming world. As stated by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his 2024 Call to Action on Extreme Heat, rising populations, urbanization, higher incomes, and escalating global temperatures are driving soaring demand for cooling. Yet this is a double-edged sword: while cooling is essential to protect people’s health, ensure food safety, and sustain economic productivity, unchecked growth risks a vicious cycle of increased energy use and emissions, further accelerating climate change. Today, cooling accounts for a fifth of global electricity consumption and is a top driver of new power generation capacity. Without urgent action, cooling-related emissions could more than double by 2050, reaching up to 6.1 billion tons of CO₂e and representing over 10% of global emissions. At the same time, around 1.2 billion people still lack access to vital cooling services, impacting vulnerable populations and risking lives through food spoilage and vaccine loss. Delivering sustainable cooling can slash emissions, save trillions in energy costs, and drive progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
