Clean Cooling

How clean cooling contributes to the energy transition
Providing cooling, such as refrigeration and temperature-controlled supply chains (‘cold chains’) or air conditioning supports the transition to low carbon energy use by reducing fossil fuel-based electricity and phasing out cooling equipment using hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants that are potent greenhouse gasses.  Cooling can be passive (not requiring power, such as shading, ventilation), or active (requiring power, such as fans or refrigerators).   

How clean cooling contributes to development
Clean cooling is critical for economic development and improving people’s living conditions in a warming world. Space cooling prevents injuries or system failures caused by extreme temperatures and comfort in houses and buildings, including health centers and schools, and it reduces workers’ heat stress. Cold chains and refrigeration preserve food, vaccines, and other materials, improving food security, healthcare, and producers’ incomes (e.g. agriculture, fisheries), by enabling higher value-added production processes.

Clean cooling’s main challenge and solution
As the world warms, populations grow, and people seek more economic opportunities, demand for cooling is set to continue to rise rapidly, especially in developing countries. This makes scaling up clean cooling quickly and sustainably an urgent imperative. ESMAP is developing low-carbon, energy-efficient, and inclusive cooling solutions by helping to put market infrastructure, financing mechanisms, and policies and regulations in place to deploy clean cooling at scale.  

Two people walk on a dirt path through lush green countryside with distant hills
Sustainable Cooling in Off-Grid Rural Areas | The Nexus between Access to Energy and Clean Cooling 

Access to cooling remains a major challenge in many rural and off-grid communities, limiting opportunities to reduce food loss, improve health and education services, and support local economic development. Expanding sustainable cooling solutions in these areas requires an integrated approach that combines supportive policies, awareness and capacity-building efforts, and the deployment of appropriate technologies, including passive cooling measures and solar-powered systems designed for remote settings.

The Need: Rural communities need pro-poor and pro-rural technologies such as off-grid electricity and appliances for space cooling and refrigeration that can operate reliably in remote locations.

Unmet Rural Needs: While space cooling, refrigeration, and cold chains can significantly improve living conditions and create economic opportunities, access remains limited in many rural areas. Off-grid refrigerators and freezers can reduce food loss and support the processing and transportation of products, while cooling solutions in schools and health centers can improve the quality of essential services.

Integrated Solutions Required: Expanding access to cooling in off-grid rural areas requires a combination of supportive policies, technical innovation, and awareness-building efforts. This includes promoting passive cooling measures, solar-powered systems, and other sustainable technologies tailored to remote settings.

Financing Mechanisms: Access to financing is critical to scaling clean cooling solutions. Pay-as-you-go models, risk-sharing facilities, results-based financing, and working capital support for suppliers can help expand the availability and affordability of cooling technologies in rural communities.

The Way Forward: Delivering clean cooling to remote and underserved areas requires coordinated action across multiple fronts. Challenges related to energy access, energy storage, financing, and technical capacity must be addressed through a combination of policy, technology, awareness, and financial interventions.

  • Policy: Regulations and standards that encourage the adoption of off-grid cooling technologies can help expand access and improve outcomes for rural communities.
  • Technology: Passive cooling measures such as shading, natural ventilation, blinds, wind-induced cooling, and cool roofs can improve comfort without electricity. Simple technologies, including vaccine cold-storage solutions, can support healthcare delivery. Active cooling solutions powered by off-grid renewable energy, particularly solar systems, can provide refrigeration, freezing, and space cooling services that benefit agriculture, education, healthcare, and local businesses.
  • Awareness: Raising awareness among policymakers, communities, civil society organizations, and the media is essential to increase understanding of the benefits of sustainable off-grid cooling and promote the adoption of appropriate solutions.
  • Finance: Expanding financial instruments such as pay-as-you-go services, risk-sharing facilities, results-based financing, and supplier working capital can help mobilize investment and improve access to clean cooling technologies.

ESMAP Program

Populated road with people and houses
Green Climate Fund Cooling Facility

The $157 million Green Climate Fund Cooling Facility managed by ESMAP is supporting nine countries across several regions to develop low-carbon, efficient, and inclusive cooling solutions in various economic sectors.

Data

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Our Latest

Events Publications
Picture of Unlocking Electric Mobility Potential in MENA | Executive Summary on Mobile Cooling
PublicationNov 17, 2023
Unlocking Electric Mobility Potential in MENA | Executive Summary on Mobile Cooling

Practitioner Voices

On a technical level, ESMAP brought energy and climate expertise to complement UNICEF—there were discussions on low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, energy efficiency design, the power requirements for the vaccine storage, the economic benefits of solarizing the facility and adjusting the design to ensure a future smooth transition to solar-energy. That wouldn't have happened without the contribution of ESMAP.
Anna Wielogorska
Lead Procurement Specialist and Co-Task Team Leader World Bank Group