UNEP launches ‘Cool Leaders’ initiative

• As extreme heat becomes one of the deadliest and fastest-growing climate risks worldwide, a new initiative led by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) — Cool Leaders Award — was launched on September 17.

• New measures to accelerate action on sustainable cooling and heat resilience include a global Heat Resilience Roadmap, and a Nature for Cooling Challenge.

• Global demand for cooling is rising rapidly. By 2050, the number of air conditioners worldwide is expected to reach 5.6 billion, nearly three times today's levels, underscoring the need for cooling solutions that protect people from extreme heat without driving a surge in energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Announced at the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly 2026 in Singapore, the measures mark a significant step in turning Global Cooling Pledge commitments into real-world action.

• A highlight of the Assembly was the launch of the inaugural Cool Leaders awards, recognising outstanding leadership in advancing sustainable cooling and protecting people from extreme heat. 

The first Cool Leaders are:

i) Singapore - For leadership in passive cooling and heat resilience.

ii) UAE - For leadership in district cooling and advancing cooling in global climate and development policy.

iii) Dong Mingzhu - Chairperson of Gree Electric Appliances, for spearheading the development of ultra-efficient, low-carbon cooling technologies, including the Zero Carbon Source air-conditioning system.

• The UNEP-led Cool Coalition is a global multi-stakeholder network that connects a wide range of key actors from government, cities, international organisations, businesses, finance, academia, and civil society groups to facilitate knowledge exchange, advocacy and joint action towards a rapid global transition to sustainable cooling.

• Brazil, Cambodia and Ivory Coast have joined the Nature for Cooling Challenge, an innovative competition that will help cities and developers harness nature to tackle extreme heat. 

• Led by UNEP and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and backed by a $3 million Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant and 33 million in co-financing, the initiative 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.