Global demand for cooling is accelerating, driven by rising temperatures, rapid urbanization, and economic growth. It is not surprising then that in many regions, reliable cooling is indispensable – vital for food security, healthcare, productivity, and broader resilience in a warming world. Currently, cooling systems account for around 10% of the world’s electricity consumption, with demand projected to triple by 2050. Yet, conventional cooling approaches often depend on inefficient equipment, high upfront costs, and carbon-intensive energy sources, hindering the widespread adoption of sustainable solutions.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Cool Coalition and its extensive membership are committed to transforming this trajectory. A cornerstone of this transformation is Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS), an innovative, market-driven model that overhauls how cooling is delivered. Instead of end users purchasing and maintaining equipment themselves, CaaS pivots to a performance-based service. Customers pay for the cooling they use, while service providers finance, own and manage the systems, ensuring ongoing efficiency, minimal downtime, and long-term sustainability. By eliminating high upfront costs and linking profitability to effective system performance, CaaS aligns economic incentives with environmental goals and bolsters the transition to a circular economy.

This webinar, delivered by UNEP Cool Coalition’s Private Sector Working group, led by BCSE member Metrus Energy, Danfoss, and Carbon Trust, seeks to bring together leading industry experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders to explore how CaaS fosters innovation, promotes efficient cooling practices, and strengthens national climate strategies.