In response to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat, the Cool Up programme convened an expert roundtable to explore strategies for addressing rising global temperatures. Held during New York Climate Week, the event was led by teams from Guidehouse and the Atlantic Council’s Climate Resilience Center, bringing together experts and policymakers to discuss cross-sectoral solutions.
Experts emphasized that extreme heat mitigation requires integrated efforts across local, national, and global governance levels. Policies should incorporate perspectives from government agencies, financial institutions, private sector actors, and civil society to develop unified, context-specific solutions. A combination of short-term relief measures and long-term resilience planning—utilizing both innovative technologies and traditional knowledge - was recommended. Clear resource allocation and collaboration across sectors were identified as key factors in ensuring successful implementation.
With global energy demand for cooling expected to triple by 2050, the UN’s Call to Action stresses the need for sustainable cooling. The proposed “triple strategy” focuses on passive cooling, improved energy efficiency, and reducing climate-warming refrigerants. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol was cited as an example of how international agreements can advance climate goals by phasing down hydrofluorocarbons. Locally, integrating energy-efficient cooling solutions into urban planning and prioritizing clean energy sources for cooling equipment were highlighted as necessary steps.
Heat stress is estimated to cause $2.4 trillion in annual economic losses worldwide, underscoring the need for financial investment in heat adaptation. The discussion emphasized the role of private and public sector collaboration in developing innovative financing mechanisms, such as concessional financing, to attract investment. Experts also pointed to the importance of funding public infrastructure projects and ensuring low-income communities have access to energy-efficient cooling solutions. Expanding insurance options for workers exposed to heat stress was highlighted as a critical aspect of long-term investment in resilience.
“Addressing the challenges posed by extreme heat requires a coordinated effort that spans across multiple sectors, including the engagement of policymakers, the private sector, and financial institutions. It is crucial that we prioritize gathering targeted data to provide decision-makers with the evidence they need.” - Adeel Abbas Syed, World Bank
While research on heat resilience is advancing, experts noted that gaps remain in evaluating the effectiveness of various strategies. Continuous data collection and real-time knowledge sharing are needed to ensure solutions are evidence-based and scalable across different regions. Urban planning tools, forecasting models, and collaboration with local leaders were identified as critical components of a successful adaptation strategy.
Equitable access to cooling is essential as global temperatures rise. Approximately 750 million people worldwide lack electricity, making it difficult to implement cooling solutions. Participants highlighted the need for policies that prioritize vulnerable communities, such as low-income neighborhoods, outdoor workers, and pregnant women, ensuring that adaptation strategies support those most at risk.
“The UN Secretary General has used the ‘megaphone’ of his office to call the world’s attention to extreme heat. But as demonstrated by the stakeholders convened by the Atlantic Council’s Climate Resilience Center and Guidehouse, extreme heat requires cross-sector collaboration. We must invest both quickly and continuously to save lives.” - Eleni Myrivili, UN-Habitat Chief Heat Officer
As global temperatures continue to rise, experts stressed that coordinated action between governments, industries, financial institutions, and civil society will be essential to building long-term resilience.