Countries Urged to Prioritize Sustainable Cooling in NDCs 3.0

The Clean Cooling Collaborative (CCC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-led Cool Coalition’s NDC Working Group have developed new Guidelines for Integrating the Cooling Sector into Nationally Determined Contributions, to be published in March 2025. This resource offers a practical roadmap to help countries adopt sustainable cooling practices as a core component of their NDCs.

Why Cooling is Key to Achieving Climate Goals

NDCs represent the commitments each country makes under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to climate impacts. The 2023 Global Stocktake revealed that the current trajectory places the world on a path toward catastrophic warming of 2.5–2.9°C—well above the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target.

Cooling plays a critical role in both mitigation and adaptation. Direct emissions from refrigerants and indirect emissions from energy consumption are projected to reach 6.1 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent annually by 2050 if left unaddressed. However, sustainable cooling solutions—such as energy-efficient appliances, lifecycle refrigerant management, and passive cooling strategies—can reduce this impact while enhancing resilience to extreme heat.

Examples of Cooling Integration in NDCs

Progress has been made, with more than 100 countries including cooling in their NDCs, up from just seven in 2015. Yet many commitments remain too broad or lack specific, measurable targets. Several countries have demonstrated leadership by adopting actionable cooling strategies:

• Burkina Faso: Prioritizes passive cooling in housing and appliance standards to reduce energy demand and improve thermal comfort.
• Vietnam and Cambodia: Committed to developing National Cooling Action Plans (NCAPs) to promote passive cooling strategies.
• Nigeria: Focuses on technician training and air conditioning efficiency standards to build local capacity and enhance technology adoption.
• United Arab Emirates (UAE): Sets ambitious targets to improve district cooling efficiency, phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and strengthen building energy codes.

As of January 2025, countries including Brazil, the UAE, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay have submitted their NDCs 3.0 with specific cooling-related commitments.

Guidelines for Effective Cooling Integration

The new guidelines provide detailed methods and tools for countries to incorporate sustainable cooling into their climate strategies. Key recommendations include:

• Improving appliance energy efficiency through Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and appliance labeling programs.
• Accelerating the HFC phasedown beyond the Kigali Amendment requirements.
• Implementing lifecycle refrigerant management (LRM) to reduce refrigerant emissions.
• Developing National Cooling Action Plans (NCAPs) to integrate cooling across sectors like energy, health, and urban planning.
• Aligning with financial mechanisms, such as green bonds and results-based financing, to attract investment in sustainable cooling technologies.

Governance structures that promote cross-ministerial collaboration are essential to ensure these measures are effectively integrated into broader national climate plans.

Global Cooling Pledge and Call to Action

The Global Cooling Pledge, launched at COP28, has mobilized over 70 countries to make bold commitments to sustainable cooling. The Guidelines for Integrating the Cooling Sector into Nationally Determined Contributions aim to turn these pledges into action, supporting countries in achieving meaningful progress toward climate and sustainable development goals.

Sustainable cooling is not just about reducing emissions—it is about protecting lives, strengthening resilience, and driving economic growth. With the NDCs 3.0 deadline looming, nations have a clear opportunity to embrace cooling as a central pillar of their climate strategies.

As the guidelines become available in March 2025, countries are encouraged to act swiftly and decisively, ensuring that cooling moves from the periphery to the forefront of global climate action.