Cooling for All Training at the ECOWAS Regional Energy Forum and Training
In a warming world, access to sustainable cooling is not a luxury, it is an issue of equity that enables productive working days and access to safe food and medicines. Yet, 1.09 billion people are at high risk due to lack of access to cooling and 2.34 billion lack access to clean and efficient cooling. In Africa alone, the Chilling Prospects report estimates that 389 million people are at high risk due to the lack of cooling.
The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Energy Forum and Training brought together international partners with the ECOWAS community to explore sustainable cooling and emerging opportunities for the region. The training was developed with support from SEforALL, the Cool Coalition, the Clean Cooling Collaborative, the University of Birmingham Centre for Sustainable Cooling, the Africa Center of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chains, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the United Nations Environment Programme.
The training was organized in three segments:
Global Cooling Collaboration
The session presented the landscape of international collaboration on sustainable cooling, including a deep dive on the Cool Coalition, Clean Cooling Collaborative and Cooling for All. Global partners including more than 120 countries, cities, the private sector, financial institutions and civil society are supporting progress on understanding cooling needs and sustainable and climate-friendly cooling solutions. Download the presentation
Cold Chains
This segment discussed the importance of sustainable cold chains for food, agriculture and health and how action can support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The session also highlighted the new Africa Center of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain, based in Kigali, Rwanda, and the opportunities it presents for collaboration with ECOWAS countries on key issues like capacity building. Download the presentation
National Cooling Action Plans
In this segment, existing cooling gaps and progress on policy action in the region were reviewed, with an emphasis on National Cooling Action Plans in service of the Kigali Amendment, Paris Agreement, and SDGs. This included a deep dive on the model Methodology for National Cooling Action Plans, recently completed by the Cool Coalition, as a tool to promote sustainable cooling in a holistic manner across a country. Download the presentation
Get involved!
Join the Cool Coalition
The Cool Coalition has more than 120 partners driving change in the cooling sector and is organised around five stakeholder clusters which include national governments and intergovernmental initiatives, cities, businesses, finance, and civil society. To join, stakeholders are requested to sign the Cool Coalition endorsement form indicating in which cluster they would like to participate.
Submit an Energy Compact
Energy Compacts are voluntary commitments with the specific actions to advance progress on SDG7 and net-zero emissions. Provide details of your plans and support needs to UN-Energy.
Partner and communicate
Reach out to the Cool Coalition, SEforALL, or the Clean Cooling Collaborative for help identifying the right partners for your goals. Learn about technical assistance, training, and other capacity-building opportunities.
Share stories of success through the #ThisIsCool campaign.