Beyond Words: A Framework for Responsible Private Sector Action on Sustainable Cooling

Recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reporting shows the suite of government contributions to curb greenhouse gas emissions alone are not enough to put us on a path to limit warming to 1.5°C. Private sector investment and actions can make vital contributions to this effort and yet must be developed within a framework that aligns with science-based targets and ensures transparency and accountability for meeting commitments.

Eliminating hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), super potent greenhouse gases used primarily as refrigerants in the cooling sector, is central to achieving global climate goals. At the 2023  (COP 28) in Dubai, sustainable cooling is expected to be a major focus. The cooling sector has been slow to adopt science-based emission reduction targets, presenting a unique opportunity to advance action to fulfill the crucial role of phasing down and ultimately phasing out HFCs to tackle the climate crisis.

EIA US’s new report examines previous voluntary private sector commitments on sustainable cooling and offers a framework for developing new commitments that are transparent, measurable, and appropriately ambitious to drive down emissions in this pivotal decade for climate action.