DDW-Sustainable-Cooling

Background

In a warming world, demand for cooling is rising, and with it the risks for vulnerable populations who are unable to access it today. As the global community works to deliver sustainable energy for all, access to cooling has emerged as a modern energy service that is necessary to reduce energy poverty gaps and inequalities. Rather than being a luxury, access to sustainable cooling is vital to reducing inequalities across human comfort and safety, agricultural and food needs, and health services.

Based on SEforALL’s 2019 Chilling Prospects report, 1.1 billion people, of which 614.8 million living in Asia, are facing high risks due to lack of access to cooling for basic needs1 – lack of access to nutritious food, vaccines essential for health, as well as the ability to find respite from temperatures beyond limits for human survival. As recognition of the issue grows, so has the appreciation for the close linkages between access to cooling and access to energy. Those living in hot climates without energy access face serious risks to their health and productivity because they lack the ability to run a fan during a heatwave.

Ensuring cooling that is affordable, sustainable, and accessible to all who need it is essential to alleviating poverty and achieving global sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 on ensuring access to affordable, reliable and sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030 as well as SDG 13 on climate action.

The ADB has provided more than 100 million people with modern access to electricity through its Energy for All Initiative. As the Asia Pacific Hub for SEforALL, ADB, in partnership with SEforALL, is now channeling its efforts toward bridging the energy access gaps in clean and sustainable cooling, as this service is as essential as electricity in alleviating poverty and in achieving the global community’s sustainable development goals by 2030.

Objective

The objectives of this workshop were threefold:

    1. To assess the persistent issues and challenges in accelerating access to sustainable cooling in the Asia and Pacific Region.
    2. To discuss innovative technological trends and business models in sustainable cooling
    3. To determine viable solutions to address identified gaps and increase the uptake of clean and sustainable cooling technologies toward achieving the SDG 7 goal of sustainable energy for all by 2030 and SDG goal on climate action.

Agenda

Time (Manila) Activities
2:00 – 2:05 p.m. Opening Remarks
Dr. Yongping ZHAI, Chief of Energy Sector Group, Asian Development Bank
2:05-2:35 p.m. Session 1: Understanding Access to Sustainable Cooling Gaps in Asia and the Pacific and the link with Energy Access

The session discussed the status and trends as well as opportunities to increasing access to sustainable cooling in the Asia-Pacific region,
in particular:

    - Current state of cooling and energy access links
    - Best practice and passive cooling options that can enhance energy access
    - How electrification is supporting access to sustainable cooling

Moderator: Dr. Ksenia Petrichenko, Economic Affairs Officer, Energy Division United Nations Economic and Social Commission
for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP)

Providing Sustainable Cooling for All
Speaker: Clotilde Rossi di Schio, Energy Efficiency Specialist, Sustainable Energy for All(SEforALL)

National Cooling Action Plans: Delivering on the Kigali Amendment, Paris Agreement, and the SDGs
Speaker: Lily Riahi, Coordinator, Cool Coalition, Energy and Climate Branch, Economy Division United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP)

Market Drivers and Opportunities in Sustainable Cooling
Speaker: Sabin Basnyat, Senior Energy Efficiency Specialist, Green Climate Fund (GCF)

Discussion and Q&A

2:35-3:05 p.m. Session 2: Unlocking Solutions to Increase the Uptake of Sustainable Cooling Technologies in Asia and the Pacific through
innovative best practices

The session showcased innovative technologies and business models that embody best practices in the development and increasing
deployment of clean and sustainable solutions.

Moderator: Dr. Peter Warren, Head of Climate Finance for Innovation, UK Government, Department for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy (UK BEIS)

Financing Sustainable Cooling Solutions Through ODA
Speaker: Dr. Peter Warren, Head of Climate Finance for Innovation, UK Government, Department for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy (UK BEIS)

Cooling solutions: Cooling as a Service
Speaker: William Hudson, Head of Carbon Trust South East Asia, Carbon Trust

Clean Cooling Technologies and Market-Approaches to Scaling-Up Deployment
Speaker: Sam Grant, Director of Clean Energy Access, CLASP

Discussion and Q&A

3:05-3:10 p.m. Summary Remarks
Speaker: Jessica Brown, Executive Director, Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program (K-CEP)
3:10-3:30 p.m. Discussion and Q&A
Moderator: SEforALL

READ MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

About the Organizers

ADB
Since its founding in 1966, ADB has been driven by an inspiration and dedication to improving people's lives in Asia and the Pacific. By targeting our investments wisely, in partnership with our developing member countries and other stakeholders, we can alleviate poverty and help create a world in which everyone can share in the benefits of sustained and inclusive growth.

SEforALL
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organization working with leaders in government, the private sector and civil society to drive further, faster action toward achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030, and the Paris Agreement, which calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit climate warming to below 2° Celsius.

UK Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
BEIS is the UK Government department responsible for business, energy, industrial strategy, science, research and innovation, clean growth, and climate change policy. This includes managing the UK’s international climate finance for supporting climate change mitigation in developing countries, and leading the UK’s representation in climate change negotiations.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
ESCAP serves as the United Nations’ regional hub promoting cooperation among countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable development. The largest regional intergovernmental platform with 53 Member States and 9 Associate Members, ESCAP has emerged as a strong regional think-tank offering countries sound analytical products that shed insight into the evolving economic, social and environmental dynamics of the region. The Commission’s strategic focus is to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which it does by reinforcing and deepening regional cooperation and integration to advance connectivity, financial cooperation and market integration. ESCAP’s research and analysis coupled with its policy advisory services, capacity building and technical assistance to governments aims to support countries’ sustainable and inclusive development ambitions.

Point of Contact

Clotilde Rossi di Schio, SEforALL
Email: [email protected]
Mikael Melin, SEforALL
Email: [email protected]