The United Nations has announced plans to collaborate with more than 60 countries, including Singapore, to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at protecting populations from extreme heat, which is increasingly recognized as one of the deadliest and fastest-growing climate risks worldwide. The initiative, known as the Global Heat Resilience Roadmap, was unveiled during the inaugural Global Cooling Pledge Assembly held in Singapore from September 15 to 18.

The Global Heat Resilience Roadmap seeks to establish practical measures to safeguard critical resources and infrastructure such as water and food supplies, schools, hospitals, workplaces, and energy systems during heatwaves. Convened by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the forum brought together policymakers, academics, and business representatives to discuss sustainable cooling solutions and heat-resilience practices suitable for densely populated urban environments.

Central to the strategy is reducing carbon emissions stemming from air-conditioning, which currently accounts for approximately 20% of global electricity consumption and is projected to more than triple by 2050. Signatory countries to the Global Cooling Pledge, including Singapore, Nigeria, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom, have committed to cutting emissions from cooling by 68% by 2050. The signatories form the Intergovernmental Committee on Cooling, which now includes more than 70 nations.

Delegates discussed expanding access to low-energy cooling alternatives, particularly for vulnerable populations such as farmers. Examples of passive cooling methods highlighted include architectural designs that maximize natural ventilation, urban greening through tree planting, and optimized building placement to enhance wind flow. These approaches aim to mitigate the increasing demand for electricity-intensive air-conditioning, which, while providing relief during heat events, can exacerbate greenhouse gas emissions and strain power grids.

The urgency of the initiative is underscored by the intensifying El Niño phenomenon anticipated in the coming months, which is expected to increase the frequency and severity of droughts and heatwaves globally. The assembly also addressed the risk of power infrastructure failure during sudden surges in cooling demand. For instance, a transformer failure during a European heatwave in June left about 68,000 households in Finisterre, France, without electricity.

UNEP’s global chief heat officer, Eleni Myrivili, emphasized the need for political recognition of severe heat as a disaster risk and the development of supportive policies to build national heat resilience. She stressed the importance of countries identifying their unique heat-related vulnerabilities and implementing appropriate solutions. Furthermore, financing emerged as a key challenge, with discussions on mobilizing funds from governments and philanthropic sources to support cooling initiatives.

The roadmap’s development will build upon existing national plans, with countries having a timeframe of a few years to finalize their strategies. Singapore, as an example, has established a Heat Resilience Policy Office to coordinate heat management efforts, oversee research, and engage internationally. The country has also introduced a heatwave response plan, which includes opening more than 300 air-conditioned cooling centers across community hubs and sports halls during extreme heat episodes. Furthermore, Singapore has improved air-conditioner energy efficiency by over 60% through minimum energy performance standards.

At the assembly, Singapore received the inaugural Cool Leaders award from UNEP, recognizing its leadership in heat resilience and sustainable cooling innovation. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, accepting the award, emphasized that sustainable cooling is not only about comfort but also about building resilience for businesses and communities.

The Global Heat Resilience Roadmap represents a multi-faceted effort to address the complex challenges posed by rising global temperatures through collaborative, innovative, and sustainable approaches. Further details on the strategy’s development and implementation are expected to be announced in the coming months.