Covid-19 and the measures being taken to mitigate the subsequent public health and economic crises are creating huge global shocks. Governments are being challenged to keep sight of the climate crisis and to use Covid-19 stimulus packages and recovery plans as an opportunity to build back better, for a cleaner, more resilient world.

Cooling plays a central role in supporting societies through this crisis; from protecting temperature-sensitive medical supplies and patients in crowded hospitals, to ensuring reliable food supplies while food systems are disrupted. Efficient, climate-friendly cooling could also help many struggling businesses get back on the road to profitability through significant energy cost savings. All of this will help governments meet near-term stimulus objectives as well as international commitments like the Paris Agreement, Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, and Sustainable Development Goals, which are all crucial for a better recovery.

This briefing note highlights the vital role that cooling plays in helping manage the health and economic shocks of Covid-19, and outlines how cooling is crucial to a resilient recovery. It details six high-impact, near-term, and cost effective opportunities that can help to stimulate the economy while also building a strong foundation for long-term recovery and decarbonization.