SEforALL, partners unveil new commitments on sustainable cooling, decarbonization and electric cooking during COP28 ‘Energy Day’
‘Energy Day’ at COP28 produced several important commitments and initiatives that will enable progress on a just, equitable and sustainable energy transition – one that not only reduces the climate impacts of the energy sector globally, but also improves energy access for developing countries.
These included the launch of a Global Cooling Pledge to advance sustainable cooling, the US Government joining the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact, and the launch of the Global Electric Cooking Coalition, which seeks to make electric cooking available to billions of people, who currently rely on polluting and harmful cooking methods.
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) have been hosting the SDG7 Global South Pavilion at COP28 in an effort to prioritize the energy, climate and development needs of the Global South and developing countries at COP28.
Additionally, SEforALL has partnered in the major initiatives launched on Energy Day because of their promise for protecting people, improving livelihoods and fighting climate change.
Global Cooling Pledge launches
More than 60 countries have signed the Global Cooling Pledge, an initiative led by the COP28 Presidency alongside the U.N. Environment Programme's (UNEP) Cool Coalition. SEforALL has been pleased to support this effort since it was kicked off in January of this year.
The Global Cooling Pledge aims to expand sustainable cooling to protect the most vulnerable communities while limiting the emissions produced by the cooling sector.
National government participants of the Global Cooling Pledge have committed to work together to reduce cooling-related emissions across all sectors by at least 68 percent globally relative to 2022 levels by 2050, consistent with limiting a global average temperature rise to 1.5°C.
Achieving the Global Cooling Pledge targets would cut emissions by approximately 78 billion tonnes CO2e between 2022-2050, while reducing electricity bills for end users by USD 1 trillion in 2050, and by USD 17 trillion cumulatively between 2022-2050.
At the official launch of the Global Cooling Pledge today, John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, said “This Global Cooling Pledge can have a profound effect on lives around the world and on our larger quest, obviously, of holding the earth’s temperature increase to the 1.5 degrees.”
US Government joins 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact
At the SDG7 Global South Pavilion, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced that the U.S. Government has joined the United Nations (UN) 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) Compact.
The 24/7 CFE Compact, which UN-Energy and SEforALL launched in 2021, is a voluntary commitment with over 140 participants that aims to match every hour of electricity consumption, on every energy grid globally, with carbon-free sources of electricity production.
This commitment to power Federal operations with 24/7 CFE reflects a significant stride in the United States’ efforts to combat climate change and accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy. By joining the 24/7 CFE Compact, the US Government underscores its commitment to grid decarbonization and climate action.
Making the announcement today, Andrew Mayock, Chief Sustainability Officer for the US Government, said “Today’s announcement delivers on President Biden’s vision to lead by example and build a new U.S. economy powered by clean energy. The US Government’s commitment to 24/7 carbon-pollution free electricity for Federal operations is creating good-paying jobs for American workers and healthier air for communities.”
Global Electric Cooking Coalition launches
A coalition of anchor partners that includes Energising Development (EnDev), GEAPP, the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme, and SEforALL launched the Global Electric Cooking Coalition.
With 2.3 billion worldwide without access to clean cooking solutions or technologies, the Global Electric Cooking Coalition (GeCCo) will unite efforts to promote the transition to electric cooking.
GeCCo’s initial target is to enable a mass transition into electric cooking in at least 10 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean in seven years, where electricity increasingly becomes the cooking fuel of choice for a significant (>10%) proportion of households and institutions.
Speaking at the launch event at COP28 in Dubai, H.E. Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda, said “Uganda remains committed to ensuring universal clean cooking access for the betterment of the livelihoods of her citizens and commends the Global Electric Cooking Coalition for designing this ambitious programme that is aimed at accelerating e-cooking access.”
Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All, added “Cooking with electricity offers a promising, scalable, and sustainable alternative – and this is why we are fully behind the Global Electric Cooking Coalition.”
SEforALL will be working with partners to grow these initiatives beyond COP28, including securing new partners and commitments. Meanwhile, several other energy and climate announcements will be made in the coming days as part of programming at the SDG7 Global South Pavilion.
The pavilion is located in the Blue Zone (Zone #32, Building 33) at COP28, with events available via livestream.