The COP29 Ministerial Roundtable, held on November 18, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan, is set to drive forward the Global Cooling Pledge. Organized by the COP28 Presidency, United Nations Environment Programme, and Cool Coalition, this invite-only event underscores the urgent need for low-carbon cooling solutions amidst the backdrop of 2023's record-breaking heat.
The roundtable aims to bolster the Global Cooling Pledge, launched by COP28 and backed by over 70 nations, to reduce global cooling-related emissions by 68% by 2050. This initiative is crucial in limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C and achieving net-zero emissions while enhancing sustainable cooling access for vulnerable populations by 2030.
Key objectives include adopting the annual progress report, confirming the new chair for the Global Cooling Pledge Contact Group, and introducing a governance framework for Pledge Signatories. The meeting will also serve as a platform for sharing progress and approaches to mainstream cooling in Nationally Determined Contributions.
Participants will discuss integrating cooling strategies into government actions and explore establishing an Intergovernmental Committee on Cooling. The event aligns with the UN Secretary-General's call for massive increases in low-carbon cooling access to combat the inequalities and challenges posed by extreme heat.
For further details, contact
unep-coolcoalition@un.org or
anya.magotra@un.org.
