A new “Global Cooling Watch” report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) warns that the global demand for cooling equipment is projected to triple by 2050. This surge threatens to create a “vicious cycle,” where increased energy consumption for cooling (like air conditioning) leads to higher greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating global warming. The report highlights the critical challenge of providing sustainable cooling to a rapidly warming world, specifically flagging Delhi and Kolkata as urban areas facing significant heat stress. It calls for urgent and sweeping policy changes, emphasizing a shift to passive cooling strategies—such as better building design, natural shading, and green roofs—alongside the rapid adoption of more energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling technologies to prevent this surge in demand from derailing climate goals.
UNEP Report: Global Cooling Demand to Triple, Flagging Extreme Heat Stress for Delhi and Kolkata
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