Energy Saving Trust joins the Cool Coalition

Energy Saving Trust is pleased to announce that we have joined the Cool Coalition as part of our ongoing work to address the climate emergency.

The Cool Coalition is a global collective that connects a range of organisations dedicated to accelerating a move towards efficient and sustainable cooling. It is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme with the support of Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program and Danida.

Extreme heatwaves kill at least 12,000 people annually and this will only worsen as the planet warms further. It is estimated that one billion people are at immediate risk from lack of access to cooling. Providing cooling can help children avoid dehydration, keep vaccines cool and food fresh, ultimately saving lives. However, when we cool, we risk heating the planet with inefficient technologies and pollutants.

We are committed to enhancing access to sustainable cooling for all through our work on Efficiency for Access and its flagship initiative, the Low Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) programme. As part of our work on LEIA, we manage the Efficiency for Access’ Research and Development Fund, which launched a call for innovative cooling technologies in 2019. In the call, 13 organisations received grants to develop efficient and affordable products, from rapid milk chillers to truck mounted solar fridges. These are designed for use in developing countries to provide those most in need with access to sustainable cooling.

Welcoming the news, Chief Executive Mike Thornton said: “Ensuring fair and impartial access to sustainable cooling will continue to help improve quality of life for people the world over and address the climate emergency. Energy Saving Trust is committed to working with international partners to reduce carbon emissions globally and to provide access to low carbon cooling technologies in developing countries. We are pleased to be a part of The Cool Coalition’s outstanding efforts to accelerate the transition to efficient and climate-friendly cooling.”