UNEP warns global cooling demand could triple by 2050 without action
A new UNEP report warns that by 2050, global demand for cooling could triple, causing greenhouse gas emissions to nearly double if no action is taken.
Rising heatwaves around the world are making air conditioning more necessary than ever.
A new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report warns that by 2050, global demand for cooling could triple, causing greenhouse gas emissions to nearly double if no action is taken.
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The Global Cooling Watch 2025 report, launched at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, highlights the urgent need for sustainable cooling strategies.
It finds that without intervention, cooling-related emissions could reach 7.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050, putting additional strain on power grids and driving up energy costs.
UNEP recommends adopting a ‘Sustainable Cooling Pathway’, which focuses on passive techniques, low-energy systems, and hybrid cooling that combines fans and air conditioners with minimal power use.
The pathway could cut cooling emissions by 64 per cent, or 2.6 billion tons of CO2e, below expected 2050 levels.
When combined with the rapid decarbonisation of the global power sector, residual cooling emissions could fall by 97 per cent.
The approach could also protect 3 billion people from extreme heat and save up to 43 trillion US dollars in avoided electricity and infrastructure costs.
Nearly two-thirds of the potential emissions reductions come from passive and low-energy solutions, highlighting the importance of integrating them into urban planning and national policies.
The UNEP-led Beat the Heat initiative has mobilised 185 cities and 72 Global Cooling Pledge signatories to implement sustainable cooling measures locally. The initiative aims to protect vulnerable populations, including the elderly, women, and smallholder farmers, and to promote urban solutions such as green corridors and microparks.
Some 72 nations have joined the Global Cooling Pledge to reduce cooling-related emissions by 68 per cent by 2050.
So far, 29 countries have set specific greenhouse gas reduction targets for the cooling sector, with five more developing targets. In total, 134 countries have incorporated cooling into national climate strategies, but only 54 have comprehensive policies covering passive cooling, energy efficiency, and refrigerant transitions.
UNEP emphasises the need to treat cooling as essential infrastructure to safeguard people and economies.
Experts stress that air conditioning alone cannot solve the heat crisis.
“As deadly heat waves become more regular and extreme, access to cooling must be treated as essential infrastructure alongside water, energy and sanitation,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.
“But we cannot air condition our way out of the heat crisis, which would drive greenhouse gas emissions higher and raise costs. Passive, energy-efficient and nature-based solutions can help meet our growing cooling needs and keep people, food chains and economies safe from heat as we pursue global climate goals. We have no excuse: it is time we beat the heat”.
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