Sustainable cooling: the transition isn't just about refrigerants
Sustainable cooling requires an integrated approach, combining refrigerants, efficient technologies, training, finance, and cooperation.
The growing global demand for cooling is transforming the HVAC/R sector into one of the most strategic fronts of climate action. Refrigeration, air conditioning, and the cold chain are no longer just technical areas related to system efficiency or refrigerant selection, but essential infrastructure for health, food security, economic development, and regional resilience.
The Sustainable Cooling Forum 2026 , promoted by UNIDO in Vienna as part of the Solutions Week, has put this change of perspective at its core: sustainable cooling must be addressed with a systemic approach , capable of integrating climate mitigation, adaptation, equitable access to technologies, technical training and adequate financial models.
Growing demand for cooling, amid emissions and access to essential services
According to the Forum, cooling systems are currently responsible for around 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions , while electricity demand for cooling could triple by 2060. This data confirms the need to intervene not only on the technologies installed, but also on the way cooling is designed, managed and financed.
The issue also has a social and economic dimension. Over a billion people, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and small island states, lack adequate access to cooling. At the same time, 2.4 billion workers are exposed to extreme heat every year, with an estimated loss of 512 billion working hours in 2023.
For the refrigeration supply chain, these numbers show how sustainable cooling is now linked to much broader issues: production continuity, food safety, health protection, resilient cold chains, and reducing post-harvest losses.
Technologies available, but still difficult to scale
International comparisons have shown that many solutions are already available. Examples include R290 air conditioners , CO₂ commercial refrigeration systems that operate even in hot climates, passive solutions, and refrigerant-free technologies. The main challenge, therefore, appears to be not just technical availability, but the ability to scale up these solutions.
The most recurring critical issues in fact concern:
- shortage of qualified technicians;
- regulatory fragmentation between markets and geographical areas;
- financial models not always adequate;
- limited visibility of cooling in international financing mechanisms;
- need for more rigorous and shared energy standards.
For installers, maintenance technicians, designers, and cold chain operators, this scenario confirms the importance of increasingly specialized skills. The transition cannot be reduced to replacing refrigerant gases: it requires proper design, operational safety, knowledge of alternative refrigerants, qualified maintenance, and the ability to work with more complex energy systems.
Finance, private sector and cooperation: the levers to accelerate
One of the key themes emerging from the Forum was the need to make cooling more visible in climate finance mechanisms . Among the initiatives presented was the Transformation Pathway Initiative, a blended finance mechanism aiming to mobilize $3 billion. Models such as Cooling as a Service and ESCO contracts, which shift the financial burden from initial investment to operating costs, were also discussed.
The role of the private sector is thus redefined: no longer simply a regulatory enforcer, but an active partner in designing and implementing sustainable solutions. At the same time, regional cooperation is highlighted as a lever for harmonizing standards, creating broader markets, and attracting investment.
For the refrigeration industry, the message is clear: the future of sustainable cooling requires efficient technologies, low-impact refrigerants, widespread expertise, resilient infrastructure, and adequate financial instruments. Only an integrated approach can transform the growth in demand for cooling into a path compatible with climate goals, food security, and equitable access to essential services.
Related Focus
FAQ
Choosing low-GWP refrigerants is an important lever, but it's not enough if the system remains inefficient, oversized, or poorly regulated. The true climate impact of cooling also depends on electricity consumption, design quality, thermal load management, maintenance, and integration with renewable sources or storage systems. For HVAC/R designers and operators, the transition therefore requires a systems approach, not just fluid replacement.
Correct unit sizing, power adjustment based on actual load, heat exchanger efficiency, ventilation quality, evaporation and condensation temperature control, and pressure drop reduction are all key factors. Maintenance also plays a key role: dirty filters, inefficient coils, incorrect refrigerant charges, or suboptimal fans can increase consumption and reduce system reliability.
The most effective strategies combine low-impact refrigerants, highly efficient components, advanced control systems, and energy integration with buildings and networks. In commercial and industrial settings, it will be increasingly important to evaluate lifecycle costs, operational continuity, regulatory compliance with F-Gas and PFAS, the safe use of alternative refrigerants, and the system's ability to operate in more critical climate conditions.
