In response to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat, the Cool Up programme convened an expert roundtable to explore strategies for addressing rising global temperatures. This is Part 1 of a two-part series.
The event was led by teams from Guidehouse and the Atlantic Council’s Climate Resilience Center. Cool-up programme
Held during New York Climate Week, the event was led by teams from Guidehouse and the Atlantic Council’s Climate Resilience Center, bringing together experts and policymakers to discuss cross-sectoral solutions.
Coordinated action across governance levels
Experts emphasized that extreme heat mitigation requires integrated efforts across local, national, and global governance levels. Policies should incorporate perspectives from government agencies, financial institutions, private sector actors, and civil society to develop unified, context-specific solutions. A combination of short-term relief measures and long-term resilience planning—utilising both innovative technologies and traditional knowledge – was recommended. Clear resource allocation and collaboration across sectors were identified as key factors in ensuring successful implementation.
Sustainable cooling solutions for heat adaptation
With global energy demand for cooling expected to triple by 2050, the UN’s Call to Action stresses the need for sustainable cooling. The proposed ‘triple strategy’ focuses on passive cooling, improved energy efficiency, and reducing climate-warming refrigerants. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol was cited as an example of how international agreements can advance climate goals by phasing down hydrofluorocarbons. Locally, integrating energy-efficient cooling solutions into urban planning and prioritising clean energy sources for cooling equipment were highlighted as necessary steps.
Financing for heat resilience
Heat stress is estimated to cause USD2.4 trillion in annual economic losses worldwide, underscoring the need for financial investment in heat adaptation. The discussion emphasised the role of private and public sector collaboration in developing innovative financing mechanisms, such as concessional financing, to attract investment. Experts also pointed to the importance of funding public infrastructure projects and ensuring low-income communities have access to energy-efficient cooling solutions. Expanding insurance options for workers exposed to heat stress was highlighted as a critical aspect of long-term investment in resilience.
Source: Home – Cool Up programme
