UNEP report at COP30: sustainable cooling could sharply cut emissions and expand lifesaving access

Farhan summarized a UNEP report launched at COP30 in Belém that warned rising heat waves and surging cooling demand risk sharply increasing greenhouse gas emissions unless countries adopt sustainable cooling strategies.

The briefing said the report finds cooling demand could more than triple by 2050 under business as usual due to population and wealth increases and that a sustainable cooling pathway could reduce emissions to roughly 64% below expected 2050 levels; combined with rapid decarbonization of the power sector, residual cooling emissions could fall to about 97% below business‑as‑usual levels.

The spokesperson noted the report also argues sustainable cooling could save trillions of dollars and expand lifesaving cooling access for low‑income households and vulnerable groups, and the full report is available online.