Cooling systems are one of the factors influencing climate change. COP30: Sustainable cooling technologies could cut emissions and save trillions of dollars Climate and Environment
Switching to sustainable cooling methods could be the key to protecting people and the planet from the effects of rising heat. Technologies such as passive, energy-efficient and hybrid cooling with minimal energy consumption can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save up to $43 trillion and protect 3 billion people from extreme temperatures. This is according to a new report from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) presented at the UN Climate Conference (COP 30) in Belém, Brazil.
If current trends continue, demand for cooling could triple by 2050, according to the report. As a result, the sector’s emissions will almost double compared to 2022, to 7.2 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. This is due to population growth, the further spread of extreme temperatures, and the deployment of inefficient and polluting cooling systems among the world’s less affluent inhabitants.
Trillion Dollars in Savings
UNEP is proposing a so-called “Sustainable Cooling Pathway” that would reduce future emissions by 64 percent – to 2.6 billion tonnes of CO₂e – compared to projected levels in 2050. With a rapid transition to clean energy, emissions could be reduced by 97 percent.
“Access to cooling must be considered as an element of basic infrastructure, along with water, energy and sanitation,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen. “We cannot solve the problem with air conditioning; this will only worsen the crisis.” Passive, energy-efficient and nature-based solutions will protect people, food chains and economies from heat.”
According to experts, the implementation of the proposed path will save $17 trillion in energy costs and avoid investments in energy networks amounting to up to $26 trillion by 2050.
The main measures include the use of passive cooling, the rapid introduction of energy-efficient equipment, the elimination of freons, and the development of “green” urban spaces.
Beating the Heat
These recommendations formed the basis of the Mutirão Contra o Calor Extremo/Beat the Heat initiative, led by Brazil, the COP30 Chair, and the UNEP Cooling Coalition. It has already been signed up by 185 cities and 83 partners, including 72 countries that have signed the Global Refrigeration Commitment.
By mid-2025, 29 countries had adopted specific targets to reduce emissions from the refrigeration sector, with another five in the pipeline. A total of 134 countries have included cooling measures in their national climate strategies, but only 54 countries cover all key areas – from energy efficiency standards to the transition to green refrigerants. Calls on countries to move from emergency response to systematic heat risk management, treat cooling as a public good and develop nature-based solutions – from green architecture to sustainable urban planning.