Urban heat

Access to cooling needs - Data and trends

Chilling Prospects 2022

Chapter 2

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Access to sustainable cooling underpins the delivery of important components of several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), those addressing poverty (SDG1), hunger (SDG2), health and well-being (SDG3), affordable and clean energy (SDG7), employment (SDG8), and sustainable cities and communities (SDG11). In partnership with the Cool Coalition, the World Bank Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) and the University of Birmingham, among others have advocated for a needs-based approach to delivering access to cooling across three core needs that contribute to the SDGs: food, nutrition and agriculture; health services; and human comfort and safety.

This chapter provides an update on new data related to these needs, as well as a general review of how action in these areas contributes to enhanced access to sustainable cooling solutions.