Global Cooling Pledge mobilizes $36 mln for nature-based cooling

19 / 09 / 2026

By Marwa Nassar - -

The Global Cooling Pledge has launched a global heat resilience roadmap and a new manufacturing platform, while mobilizing $36 million to support nature-based cooling solutions in Brazil, Cambodia and Côte d’Ivoire.

The measures were announced at the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly 2026 in Singapore as governments, cities, industry leaders and philanthropic organizations seek to accelerate sustainable cooling and strengthen resilience to rising extreme heat.

$36 million backs nature-based cooling:

Brazil, Cambodia and Côte d’Ivoire have joined the Nature for Cooling Challenge, an initiative led by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) to help cities and developers use nature-based solutions to tackle extreme heat.

The initiative is backed by a $3 million Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant and $33 million in co-financing, bringing total funding to $36 million. It will identify and support promising projects using urban forests, parks, green roofs and other nature-based solutions that can reduce peak summer temperatures by up to 5°C.

Roadmap targets heat resilience:

Governments have begun shaping the Global Roadmap on Heat Resilience for a Warming World, a flexible framework to help countries prepare for extreme heat, protect essential services and strengthen critical infrastructure.

The roadmap will outline practical approaches for protecting people and strengthening systems including schools, hospitals, workplaces and energy infrastructure, while bringing adaptation, resilience and emissions-reduction objectives together.

Manufacturing platform launched:

The Assembly also introduced the Manufacturing Platform, a new voluntary initiative under the Cool Coalition, operationalized by UNEP’s United for Efficiency.

The platform brings governments and manufacturers together to increase the availability of energy-efficient cooling equipment and accelerate the shift toward low- and ultra-low-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerants.

It will also help align government policies with industry investment and allow participating companies to set measurable commitments and transparently report progress.

Gree Electric Appliances joined the platform to advance energy efficiency and the development and application of ultra-low-GWP refrigerant technologies.

Cooling demand set to rise:

The measures come as global demand for cooling continues to increase. The number of air conditioners worldwide is expected to reach 5.6 billion by 2050, nearly three times today’s levels.

The growth highlights the need for cooling solutions that protect people from extreme heat without driving higher energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions.

Cool Leaders recognized:

The Assembly also launched the inaugural Cool Leaders awards, recognizing leadership in sustainable cooling and heat resilience.

The first recipients are Singapore for passive cooling and heat resilience; the United Arab Emirates for district cooling and advancing cooling in global climate and development policy; and Dong Mingzhu, Chairwoman of Gree Electric Appliances, for advancing ultra-efficient, low-carbon cooling technologies, including the Zero Carbon Source air-conditioning system.

Funding supports implementation:

The Assembly also marked the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on Cooling, a coordination mechanism to help track and accelerate implementation of the Global Cooling Pledge.

Denmark, Italy, Switzerland and the UK are among the governments contributing funding, while philanthropic organizations including the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, ClimateWorks Foundation through its Clean Cooling Collaborative program, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and Sequoia Climate Foundation have committed or intend to commit support.