By Staff Reporter
ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates has been recognised among the world’s inaugural “Cool Leaders” for its efforts to advance sustainable cooling and strengthen measures to protect communities from extreme heat.
The recognition was announced at the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly 2026 in Singapore, organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Cool Coalition. (WAM)
The award recognised the UAE’s experience in expanding district cooling, improving energy efficiency and promoting sustainable cooling technologies, while contributing to the global climate and development agenda.
Cooling is a major component of the UAE’s summer electricity demand, making energy efficiency, resilient infrastructure and long-term planning important elements of the country’s energy and climate priorities.
Eng Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, received the recognition on behalf of Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.
Al Olama said the recognition reflected the UAE’s long-standing efforts to make cooling systems more efficient, sustainable and resilient.
He said the UAE’s experience showed that achieving sustainable cooling on a large scale required effective regulation, investment, long-term planning and international partnerships.
The UAE was among the early adopters of district cooling in the region and has continued to promote energy-efficient cooling systems, improved building performance and technologies aimed at reducing energy consumption and emissions. (WAM)
The country also played a key role in advancing the Global Cooling Pledge during COP28 in Dubai in 2023, working with the UNEP-led Cool Coalition to encourage countries to reduce cooling-related emissions and expand access to sustainable cooling.
As Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Committee on Cooling, the UAE continues to support international cooperation on implementation, financing and practical cooling solutions.
At the Singapore assembly, the UAE also highlighted the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance, a UAE-led platform designed to connect countries’ energy-efficiency and sustainable-cooling needs with technology, expertise and financing.
The UAE said the platform could help accelerate the deployment of energy-efficient and sustainable cooling solutions at scale..
Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)
