Cooling is central to health, prosperity, and the environment. It can be provided actively (e.g. via air conditioning) or passively (e.g. through cool building design). Applications range from space cooling for buildings, vehicles, and industrial processes, to cold chains for food and medicines. Efficient, climate-friendly cooling for all underpins many Sustainable Development Goals and represents an opportunity to avoid substantial greenhouse gas emissions.

Ensuring we meet cooling needs affordably, efficiently, cleanly, and innovatively, including for the 1.1 billion people who lack access to basic energy services, is a big responsibility for cities. Delivering efficient, climate-friendly cooling can offer a host of benefits to cities and their citizens by reducing the effects of climate change and the demand for cooling. It enables a more reliable and resilient energy system, reduced urban heat islands, cleaner air, better health, and higher productivity for society. Yet, the needle on affordable, efficient, and climate-friendly cooling for all is moving slowly.

This guide for cities is one in a series that is also being disseminated to national governments, businesses, investors, and civil society to help elevate cooling as an inclusive, impactful, profitable opportunity for the UN Secretary General Summit in September 2019.