The UN climate conference in Belém, Brazil, COP30, world leaders took action to confront the growing threat of extreme heat.During the conference, the leaders agreed to the Global Cooling Pledge aimed at reducing cooling-related emissions by 68% by 2050.
The Global Cooling Watch 2025 report from UNEP predicts that cooling demand could more than triple by 2050, as heatwaves become a climate hazard.UNEP’s Climate Change Division Director Martin Krause highlighted during the meeting that heat stress could wipe out 80 million full-time jobs in five years, while over 1 billion people still lack proper cooling.
“The urgency is clear. According to the Global Cooling Watch, heat stress could erase the equivalent of 80 million full-time jobs within five years,” said Martin Krause, UNEP’s Climate Change Division Director.
“Yet more than 1 billion people still lack access to adequate cooling”.
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The Belém Communiqué, adopted during the dialogue, highlighted the urgency of recognizing cooling as critical infrastructure, on par with water, energy, and sanitation.It called for integrated strategies that address the complex intersection of climate, health, energy, and development.At the same time, the Beat the Heat initiative, which focuses on empowering cities to implement sustainable cooling solutions, has gained renewed momentum.
Over 200 cities globally have already joined the effort, which supports local governments in tackling heat risks with solutions like passive cooling and nature-based interventions.In addition, the launch of the Enabling Pledge Implementation for Cooling (EPIC) platform has provided a framework for countries to roll out cooling technologies and develop national plans to meet future cooling needs sustainably.
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Finally, the establishment of the Intergovernmental Committee on Cooling will ensure that progress toward the Global Cooling Pledge is tracked and the 14 targets for cooling efficiency and emission reductions are met.“If countries stay the course, Belém could be a turning point for making sustainable cooling one of this decade’s most high-impact climate solutions,” said Krause.
However, he warned that, without action, cooling-related emissions are expected to nearly double by 2050.
