COP29 served as a platform to drive international collaboration on mitigation, adaptation, and climate finance. With a focus on sustainable development and low-carbon pathways, the conference highlighted critical strategies to combat climate change, including the adoption of innovative technologies and frameworks to reduce emissions and enhance resilience. This year’s agenda underscored the role of sustainable cooling in meeting these objectives.

At COP29, Cool Up emphasized the following priorities:

• Carbon market framework: A new framework under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement was ratified. This decision is expected to unlock significant climate finance and support sustainable cooling initiatives in developing countries.
• Energy efficiency and sustainable cooling: Enhancing energy efficiency in the cooling sector was a focus, with discussions on sustainable refrigerants, improved refrigeration systems, and integrating these practices into national policies to meet both environmental and economic goals.
• Technological innovations for climate resilience: Advancements in digital tools, including AI and blockchain, were showcased for their role in climate resilience. These technologies have the potential to strengthen ecosystems, economies, and community adaptation, aligning with Cool Up’s objectives in promoting innovative sustainable solutions.

1. Investing in Innovative Solutions for Decarbonizing the Built Environment (14.11.2024)

Key Discussion: This session explored how innovative financing strategies can accelerate the transition to a decarbonized built environment, a significant area of global emissions. Discussions focused on mobilizing investments and scaling niche technologies in the building sector.

Fireside Chat: Where are the Opportunities & the Need for a Technology Shift

Speakers:

• • Victoria Burrows, Strategic Partnerships & Insights, KOMPAS VC
  • Mortiz Schaefer, Director & Expert for IKI projects BUILD_ME and Cool Up, Guidehouse Germany
  • Dr. Maged K. Mahmoud, Executive Director (Acting) & Technical Director, Lead Renewable Energy Advisor, Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE)

Fireside Chat: Solutions & How to Finance Them

Speakers:

• • Victoria Burrows, Strategic Partnerships & Insights, KOMPAS VC
  • Peter Hirsch, Head of Sustainability, 2150
  • Nidhi Baiswar, Senior Director – Sustainability and Climate Leadership, JLL
  • Hugh Garnett, Real Assets Lead – Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC)

Key Insights:
• Financing is vital to scaling cutting-edge technologies for sustainable construction.
• Collaborative efforts between start-ups, private investors, and public entities are essential.

2. National Cooling Action Plans (NCAPs): Delivering Climate-Friendly Cooling (15.11.2024)

Key Discussion: This event examined NCAPs as a policy tool to drive energy efficiency, refrigerant phase-down, and enhanced cooling access in the hottest regions of the world. Real-life case studies from the MENA and Asia-Pacific regions illustrated successful NCAP implementation.

Keynote Address:

• Ms. Dechen Tsering, Director, Climate Change Division, UNEP
• Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP

Panel Discussion 1: Advancing Sustainable Cooling and Unlocking Finance for NCAPs in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Moderator: Ms. Lily Riahi, Coordinator, UNEP Cool Coalition

Panelists:

• • Dr. Ir. Hendra Iswahyudi, Director of Energy Conservation, Indonesia
  • Mr. Makoto Kato, Member of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center (OECC)
  • Mr. Ziaul Haque, Director, Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bangladesh

Panel Discussion 2: Adapting the NCAP Methodology in Africa and MENA Regions and the Private Sector’s Role in Implementation

• Dr. Maged Mahmoud, Acting Executive Director of Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE)
• Ms. Uboho Ekpo, Principal Scientific Officer, National Council on Climate Change, Nigeria
• Ms. Katja Eisbrenner, Director at Guidehouse – Cool Up Programme

Closing Remarks: Mr. Amr Seleem, UNEP Cool Coalition

Key Insights:
• NCAPs provide a structured approach to sustainable cooling and align local initiatives with global climate objectives.
• Cross-regional knowledge sharing fosters innovation and adaptability in cooling solutions.

3. DigiMED: Technological Solutions for Climate Resilience in the Mediterranean (16.11.2024)

Key Discussion: This session highlighted emerging digital tools, including AI-powered systems and climate-smart agriculture, as solutions for building resilience to climate impacts in the Mediterranean region.

Welcome Remarks: Aurora Audino, UN Fellow UNDP BIOFIN

Keynote Opening: Grammenos Mastrojeni, Senior Deputy Secretary General at the Secretitat of the Union for the Mediterranean

Speakers:

• Robin Zuercher, Programme Officer -Green Digital Action at International Telecommunication Union
• Laurence Rouil, Director of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Services (CAMS)
• Katja Eisbrenner, Director at Guidehouse – Cool Up Programme
• Ali Abdo, “Ride to COP” initiative and Chief Partnership Officer at ESG

Key Themes:
• Adaptation: Implementation of urban heat plans and NCAPs to combat extreme heat.
• Mitigation: Adoption of energy-efficient cooling systems and natural refrigerants to lower emissions.
• Multi-stakeholder collaboration is crucial for adapting to extreme heat and reducing emissions in vulnerable regions.

4. Climate Projections in Türkiye (19.11.2024)

Key Discussion: This session addressed Türkiye’s vulnerability to climate change and the integration of updated climate projections into national policies for adaptation and mitigation.

Speakers:

• Prof.Dr. Halil Hasar, President – Directorate of Climate Change Turkiye
• Umayra Taghiyeva, Deputy Minister – Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources Azerbaijan
• Ali Cem Deniz, Environmental Engineer – Directorate of Climate Change Turkiye
• Katja Eisbrenner, Director at Guidehouse – Cool Up Programme

Key Recommendations for Türkiye:
1. Reduce cooling demand through energy-efficient building designs and passive cooling solutions.
2. Phase down HFCs in alignment with global climate goals.
3. Replace and recycle inefficient cooling equipment to reduce emissions.