Brazil and Italy are leading a global push to tackle extreme heat and its impact on cities, with new initiatives aimed at sustainable cooling. In a significant move ahead of COP30, Brazil announced the launch of the "Beat the Heat in Cities" program to turn cities into hubs for climate adaptation, while Italy pledged EUR 2 million to support the Global Cooling Pledge.

The Global Cooling Pledge is a worldwide effort to cut cooling-related climate impact by 68% by 2050, aiming to ensure affordable access to cooling for all. This follows a record-breaking year of extreme heat, which underscores the urgency of sustainable cooling solutions.

Key Developments

• Brazil prioritizes extreme heat and sustainable cooling as a major focus at COP30 in Belém, reinforcing their commitment to adaptation.

• Italy commits EUR 2 million to UNEP’s Enabling Pledge Implementation for Cooling (EPIC) initiative, which helps cities take action through technical support and financial resources.

• Global Cooling Pledge now has 72 signatory countries, working toward more sustainable cooling and addressing the impacts of extreme heat on health, food security, and cities' infrastructure.

The Challenge
With a rising demand for cooling worldwide, extreme heat is now at the forefront of climate change impacts. UNEP's reports highlight the risk of rising emissions and the overburdening of cooling systems, particularly in vulnerable regions.

Why It Matters?
Sustainable cooling is critical not only for mitigating climate change but also for adapting to its harsh realities. It impacts billions of people, from health to food security, and is essential to ensuring we stay on track with the 1.5°C climate goal.