Invitation for a CONCITO Climate Dialogue - Tænketræf - on Cooling

Cooling is fundamental to quality of life in a warming world. It provides thermal comfort to vulnerable populations, keeps food safe on its journey from farm to fork, ensures that vaccines are stable and accessible, and enables workforces to remain productive and digital economies viable. But the growth in cooling is leading to a substantial increase in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Demand for cooling is expected to triple by 2050 because of rising temperatures, urbanization, and growing household income. Meeting that demand will require 8,000 new power plants or almost doubling the expansion of renewable energy the next five years and put strain on electricity infrastructure. The number of cooling appliances could grow by a factor 15 in Africa, and parts of South-Central Asia. Annually, food volumes that could feed almost 900 million people is wasted because of lack of cold chains. Under business as usual, global greenhouse gas emissions from cooling are projected to reach 3.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 2050.

Applying best policies pathways, emissions from cooling could fall 97 per cent to near-zero. Passive cooling strategies, including nature-based solutions, and energy efficient cooling systems, can be multipurpose tools for addressing emission reductions, adaptation, resilience, and sustainable development.

Register before Friday 13 October 2023 at noon using this link.