Background
In a warming world access to sustainable cooling is a key climate mitigation and adaptation strategy - reducing emissions, providing protection from heat stress, enabling productive work, supporting human well-being, reducing food loss, and enhancing access to healthcare and medicines. Yet over 3 billion people lack access to sustainable cooling solutions and cooling already accounts for over 7% of global emissions. As a top driver of global energy demand in Asia in the coming decades, this challenge must be met now with demonstrated leadership from countries, cities, and the private sector.
With support from the Cool Coalition, SEforALL and IRENA, the UAE COP 28 Presidency is championing the development of the Global Cooling Pledge, which will serve as an opportunity for ADB Developing Member Countries to demonstrate leadership and showcase solutions at COP 28. In partnership with the ADB, the UK Government and UNEP, this session will highlight recent regional leadership on sustainable cooling policy, innovation, finance, and technology across Asia-Pacific, and also to provide a forum for participants to shape and learn more about the Global Cooling Pledge.
Objectives
- To discuss innovative technologies, new opportunities and partnerships that can deliver results for sustainable cooling.
- To explore country actions on sustainable cooling and offer insights into policies that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the cooling sector.
- To discuss the COP 28 Global Cooling Pledge and why it is necessary for Asia-Pacific to take active leadership.
AGENDA
2:00 - 2:15 p.m.
Opening and Session on Technology and Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Cooling
Welcome, Agenda Review and Audience Interaction Poll
- Ben Hartley, Principal Specialist, Energy Efficiency and Cooling, SEforAll
Welcome Address: Regional Progress on Sustainable Cooling and the Climate and Energy Imperative in the ADB Region
- Kee-Yung Nam, Principal Energy Economist, Asian Development Bank
2:15 - 3:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Technology and Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Cooling
Opening Keynote and introduction of the panel
- Peter Warren, Climate Innovation & Finance, UK Government (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Panelists
- Beta Paramita, Program Manager, Cool Roofs Indonesia: The Power of Passive Cooling in Indonesia
- Prasanna Rao Dontula, Chief Technology Officer, A.T.E. Enterprises
- Clemencia Torres de Mästle, Sr. Economist, ESMAP, World Bank Group
- Maraida Licerio, Senior Advisor and National Coordinator, GIZ Proklima
- Diane Maharjan, Chief of Innovation Staff, National Economic & Development Authority, Philippines
3:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Coffee Break
4:00 - 4:15 p.m.
Policy Stock Take, Regional Leadership, and the Global Cooling Pledge
Opening Remarks: Mr. Hongpeng Liu, Director, Energy Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Scene Setting Presentation on Progress on Regional Cooling Policy and Ambition: Ms. Anna Lobanova, Sustainable Energy Specialist, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
4:15 - 4:25 p.m.
Roadmap to a Cool COP, and the Global Cooling Pledge
Ben Hartley, Principal Specialist, Energy Efficiency and Cooling, Sustainable Energy for All
4:25 - 5:05 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Country Leadership and Opportunities to Support the Global Cooling Pledge
Panelists
- Ali Majid, Deputy Minister, Environment, Climate, and Technology, Government of Maldives
- Rithy Sileap, Economist, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Government of Cambodia: The Cambodia National Cooling Action Plan
- Herlin Herlianika, Advisor, CLASP: Sustainable Cooling Policy Progress in Indonesia
- Alexander Ablaza, Chief Executive Officer, Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance
5:05 - 5:25 p.m.
Additional Feedback on the Global Cooling Pledge from Audience Members
5:25 - 5:30 p.m.
Participant Feedback Form and Closing Remarks
Ben Hartley, Principal Specialist, Energy Efficiency and Cooling, Sustainable Energy for All
ABOUT ORGANIZERS
About SEforALL: Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization that works in partnership with the United Nations and leaders in government, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society and philanthropies to drive faster action towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030 – in line with the Paris Agreement on climate.
About the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is focused on the energy portfolio from the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Their responsibilities include: delivering security of energy supply; ensuring properly functioning energy markets; encouraging greater energy efficiency; and seizing the opportunities of net zero to lead the world in new green industries.
About the Cool Coalition: The Cool Coalition is a global multi-stakeholder network that connects a wide range of key actors from government, cities, international organizations, businesses, finance, academia, and civil society groups to facilitate knowledge exchange, advocacy and joint action towards a rapid global transition to efficient and climate-friendly cooling. The Cool Coalition promotes an ‘avoid-shift-improve-protect’ holistic and cross-sectoral approach to meet the cooling needs of both industrialized and developing countries through urban form, better building design, energy efficiency, renewables, and thermal storage while phasing down HFCs.