A technician installs an air conditioning unit in Nairobi as rising temperatures drive record cooling demand. — Courtesy: UNEP Photo Service
By Daisy Okiring
NAIROBI, Kenya: How hot is too hot for the planet to handle?
As record-breaking heatwaves sweep across continents, the demand for air conditioning is soaring — and so are emissions. A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warns that global demand for cooling could triple by 2050, driving greenhouse gas emissions to nearly double if urgent action is not taken.
The Alarming Forecast
The Global Cooling Watch 2025 report, launched at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, paints a stark picture of a warming planet and a growing reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems.
Without intervention, cooling-related emissions could rise to 7.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050, straining power grids and inflating global energy costs.
UNEP proposes a Sustainable Cooling Pathway — a strategy built on passive cooling, low-energy systems, and hybrid solutions that reduce power use while protecting vulnerable communities.
The Path Forward
If widely adopted, the plan could slash cooling emissions by 64%, or 2.6 billion tons of CO₂e, below projected levels. With rapid power-sector decarbonisation, total emissions could fall by up to 97%, saving governments and industries an estimated $43 trillion in electricity and infrastructure costs.
UNEP’s Executive Director, Inger Andersen, called for urgent implementation, saying cooling should be treated as “essential infrastructure alongside water, energy, and sanitation.”
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Cities Taking the Lead
The UNEP-led Beat the Heat Initiative has already mobilised 185 cities and 72 Global Cooling Pledge signatories to take local action. Their mission: protect the elderly, women, and farmers from extreme heat while promoting green corridors, shaded streets, and urban microparks.
So far, 72 countries have pledged to cut cooling-related emissions by 68% by 2050. Yet only 54 nations have comprehensive policies integrating passive cooling, efficiency, and refrigerant transitions — a gap UNEP says must close fast.
What’s at Stake
The report warns that over 3 billion people could be at risk of extreme heat exposure if the world fails to adapt. Passive, energy-efficient, and nature-based solutions, such as green buildings and reflective roofs, could help cool cities sustainably while easing energy burdens.
Andersen cautioned that the planet cannot “air condition its way out of the heat crisis.” Instead, governments and industries must invest in innovation and policy alignment to ensure safe, equitable access to cooling.
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The Way Ahead
The message is clear: the future of cooling depends on action taken today. If the world continues on its current path, energy use will spiral, worsening both climate and inequality. Sustainable cooling, UNEP says, isn’t just about comfort — it’s about survival.
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