Cooling plays a critical role in protecting human health, preserving food, and supporting economic productivity — and its importance is only growing as global temperatures rise and heatwaves become more frequent. Currently, cooling accounts for around 20% of global electricity use, and demand is increasing rapidly. If left unaddressed, this growth could drive a dangerous cycle of rising emissions from fossil fuel-based power and high-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerants. By 2050, the world could need as many as 14 billion cooling devices — four times more than we use today.

UNDP is supporting countries to manage this growing demand sustainably by helping them transition to climate-friendly refrigerants, develop national cooling action plans and programmes, and deploy integrated energy solutions. These efforts include promoting efficient, renewable-powered cooling in buildings and large facilities, scaling district cooling networks, and building sustainable cold chains — all of which are essential to ensuring reliable access to food and medicine. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed major gaps in vaccine cold chains, underscoring the need for resilient cooling infrastructure. This was already recognized in the 2019 Rome Declaration under the Montreal Protocol, which called for stronger national and international action on sustainable cold chains to reduce food loss.

Transitioning to low-GWP refrigerants, improving energy efficiency, and integrating cooling with renewable energy can significantly reduce the sector’s climate impact. The Montreal Protocol’s phase-out of ozone-depleting substances has already prevented an estimated 135 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂eq) emissions. Its 2016 Kigali Amendment, which targets a global phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), could help avoid up to 0.4°C of global warming by the end of the century if fully implemented. Still, many markets continue to rely on inefficient cooling technologies. The International Energy Agency notes that, in most major economies, the average room air conditioner sold today is less than half as efficient as the best available model. While over 60 countries have adopted Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labeling systems, many — especially in Africa — still lack effective standards or enforcement mechanisms.

The greatest potential for energy and emissions savings lies in large-scale, integrated solutions. District cooling systems — especially when combined with renewable energy sources like solar, geothermal, wind, and ocean thermal, or with industrial waste heat — can deliver up to 90% energy savings compared to standalone units. Similar approaches can be applied across cold chains and energy-intensive facilities such as shopping centers, hospitals, food processors, and hotels. Smart urban planning and holistic system design offer enormous opportunities to decarbonize cooling. However, realizing this potential will require addressing persistent knowledge, technical, and financing gaps — particularly in developing countries.