Cooling Crisis Alert! UN Report Reveals Triple Demand, Skyrocketing Emissions - Is India Prepared?

The United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Global Cooling Watch 2025 report, presented at COP30 in Brazil, highlights a critical challenge: while cooling is becoming essential due to rising global temperatures and heatwaves, its growing demand threatens to significantly worsen climate change. Global cooling demand is projected to triple by 2050, which could double emissions to 7.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

However, the report outlines a 'Sustainable Cooling Pathway' that offers a hopeful solution. This pathway combines passive cooling strategies like shading and green spaces, low-energy and hybrid systems, and the faster phase-down of HFC refrigerants. By adopting these measures, emissions from cooling could be cut by 64%, saving an estimated $43 trillion in electricity and grid investments. If combined with a decarbonized power sector, these emissions could fall by 97%, nearing net-zero.

This approach could extend adequate cooling access to an additional three billion people, particularly in the Global South, Africa, and South Asia, where over a billion people currently lack it. Vulnerable populations, including women, smallholder farmers, and the elderly, are most at risk. Passive and low-energy solutions offer significant comfort gains and reduce household energy use by up to 30%.

UNEP and the Brazil Presidency launched the 'Beat the Heat' initiative, a coalition of 187 cities globally, to implement heat resilience strategies. While 72 countries have signed the Global Cooling Pledge, only 54 have comprehensive policies aligned with the sustainable pathway. The report urges governments to treat heat protection and cooling as public goods, integrated into urban planning and national climate strategies.

Impact: This news significantly impacts the Indian stock market and Indian businesses. The rising demand for cooling solutions will drive growth for appliance manufacturers and construction companies focusing on energy-efficient buildings. It also highlights the need for grid modernization and increased renewable energy adoption to meet this demand sustainably, influencing energy sector investments and policy. The urgency of climate adaptation will push for innovation in sustainable cooling technologies. Rating: 8/10

Difficult Terms: CO2 equivalent: A metric used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases based on their global warming potential relative to carbon dioxide. Passive cooling measures: Strategies that cool buildings without using active mechanical systems, relying on design and natural processes. Nature-based solutions: Using natural systems and processes to address societal challenges like climate change. Kigali Amendment: An international agreement to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a group of potent greenhouse gases used in refrigeration and air conditioning. Global South: Generally refers to developing countries, often located in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): The climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement to reduce their emissions. National Adaptation Plans (NAPs): Strategies developed by countries to build resilience to the impacts of climate change.