The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched the NDC Cooling Guidelines 2025 to help countries integrate sustainable cooling strategies into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), aiming to reduce emissions and protect vulnerable populations from heat-related risks.
About NDC Cooling Guidelines 2025
What is it?
A global framework that offers countries a structured process to:
- Integrate sustainable cooling into climate action plans (NDCs)
- Balance mitigation, adaptation, and development goals
Developed by:
- UNEP Cool Coalition NDC Working Group, in collaboration with partners like UNDP
Objectives of Guidelines
- Integrate sustainable cooling in NDCs
- Cut sectoral emissions by 60% by 2050
- Improve cooling access for 1.1 billion people
- Strengthen MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) systems
- Align with the Kigali Amendment and Global Cooling Pledge
Key Global Statistics (as per the report)
| Data Point | Details |
| Cooling’s current share of global GHG emissions | 7%, projected to exceed 10% by 2050 |
| People without cooling access | 1.1 billion |
| Cooling energy consumption | Uses 20% of building electricity worldwide |
| UAE buildings | Use over 50% electricity for cooling |
| Potential with efficient appliances | 6x more access without proportional emissions growth |
Major Challenges in Cooling Sector
- High Emissions Growth: Cooling-related emissions may double by 2050 if unchecked
- Access Gaps: 1.1 billion people still lack affordable, sustainable cooling
- Vicious Cooling Cycle: Rising heat → more inefficient cooling → more emissions
- Policy Gaps: Only 27% of updated NDCs include energy efficiency cooling targets
- Gender Inequity: Women, especially in rural and poor settings, face higher health risks due to lack of cooling
Six-Stage Action Framework of Guidelines
- Baseline Definition: Assess current HFC emissions and energy use in the cooling sector
- Target Formulation: Set measurable, time-bound cooling targets within NDCs
- MRV Systems: Establish tools for transparent Monitoring, Reporting & Verification
- Policy Actions: Implement:
- Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)
- Kigali-compliant refrigerant phase-down
- Urban greening & passive cooling methods
- Governance: Establish cross-ministerial and gender-responsive coordination
- Finance & Access: Mobilize funds and ensure equitable access to sustainable cooling
Country Case Studies
| Country | Initiative |
| Nigeria | Integrated National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP) into NDC with rural infrastructure focus |
| UAE | Focus on district cooling and efficient ACs under NDC 3.0 |
| Grenada | Committed to be the first HFC-free nation by fully phasing down HFCs |
Significance of NDC Cooling Guidelines
- Transforms cooling from a climate risk to a low-carbon opportunity
- Promotes climate resilience, equity, and human well-being
- Supports progress towards SDGs
- Particularly relevant for India and Global South nations facing heatwaves
About UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)
| Feature | Details |
| Established | 1972 after the Stockholm Conference on Human Environment |
| Headquarters | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Function | Sets global environmental agenda and coordinates implementation of the UN’s environmental dimension |
| Executive Head | Executive Director |
Major UNEP Initiatives
| Initiative | Description |
| Clean Up the World (1993) | Global volunteer movement for environmental cleanup |
| Billion Tree Campaign (2006) | Global reforestation to combat climate change |
| Seal the Deal (2009) | Mobilised public support for climate agreement at COP15 |
| APELL (1988) | Local emergency preparedness for industrial/environmental disasters |
| TUNZA | Youth-focused environmental engagement and education |
| Faith for Earth (2017) | Faith-based environmental advocacy initiative |
Major Reports by UNEP
| Report | Purpose |
| Global Environmental Outlook (GEO) | 4-yearly assessment of environmental trends |
| Emissions Gap Report | Assesses gap between current and required GHG reductions |
| Adaptation Gap Report | Measures adaptation progress and shortcomings |
| Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO) | Reviews biodiversity conservation trends |
| Global Air Quality Assessment | Studies global air pollution and its health impacts |