12th World Urban Forum: Cities Lead the Way to Cooling the Planet Amidst the Climate Crisis

With rising global temperatures, cities face new challenges in keeping their citizens cool and adapting to extreme heat. At the 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo, UN-Habitat, the UNEP-led Cool Coalition, government leaders, urban planners, and sustainability experts gathered to discuss sustainable urban solutions for combating extreme heat.

The event, titled "Cooling the Climate Crisis: Turning the Global Cooling Pledge into Urban Impact," provided a platform for countries and cities to share their progress in implementing the Global Cooling Pledge. This initiative, launched in partnership with UNEP’s Cool Coalition and the UAE COP28 Presidency, aims to meet growing cooling demands, increase sustainable cooling access, and cut emissions.

Key Goals of the Global Cooling Pledge

• Reduce cooling-related emissions by 68% by 2050.
• Enhance global access to sustainable cooling by 2030.
• Increase the efficiency of new air conditioners by 50%.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that achieving these goals requires a massive increase in access to low-carbon cooling, adoption of natural and urban cooling solutions, and the promotion of high-efficiency technologies.

Key Global Initiatives in Urban Cooling

The event highlighted various strategies being implemented across cities worldwide:

• São Paulo, Brazil: Climate impact assessments have become a standard part of urban development, reinforcing São Paulo’s commitment to sustainable adaptation.
• Quito, Ecuador: Former Mayor Mauricio Rodas emphasized the need for equitable financing to support heat action, especially in vulnerable communities.
• Barcelona, Spain: Chief City Planner David Martínez discussed the challenges of retrofitting older buildings for efficient cooling, particularly in areas with private ownership.
• Lagos, Nigeria: Chief Resilience Officer Dr. Folayinka Dania noted the critical need for affordable cooling solutions to support Lagos’s rapidly growing population.
• British High Commission in South Africa: Highlighted specific projects aligned with the Global Cooling Pledge, showcasing the need for cross-regional partnerships to address diverse cooling challenges.

Advancing Global Climate Commitments Through Cooling Solutions

Since its launch at COP28, the Global Cooling Pledge has spurred global collaboration to reduce emissions, aligning with the Montreal Protocol and Paris Agreement goals. This event strengthened cross-sector partnerships, with UNEP calling for increased support from national and local governments.

The World Urban Forum underscored the critical importance of sustainable cooling systems to help cities manage a hotter future, urging investments in cooling strategies that protect vulnerable communities and mitigate climate impacts.

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