The Cool Future exploring sustainable district cooling solutions from the MENA region to Europe
Cooling is a critical yet energy-intensive necessity in urban environments, particularly in the context of rising global temperatures and rapid urbanization. With cooling demands projected to triple by 2050, the urgency for innovative, sustainable, and efficient solutions has never been greater. District Cooling (DC) emerges as a transformative approach to address these growing demands while tackling the environmental and energy challenges inherent in traditional cooling methods.
Following a brief overview of the cooling discussions at COP29, providing a state-of-play of the current situation, this webinar—jointly organized by Euroheat & Power, Empower, and the UNEP Cool Coalition—will delve into the potential of district cooling as a cornerstone for sustainable urban cooling. By drawing on insights from two diverse regions—the MENA region and Europe—the session will illustrate how district cooling can adapt to varied climatic, infrastructural, and regulatory contexts, while advancing shared objectives of energy efficiency and climate resilience.
Objectives:
- Enhance understanding of district cooling systems and their sustainability benefits.
- Dispel misconceptions about the scalability of district cooling projects.
- Share diverse experiences and solutions from the MENA region and Europe.
- Foster dialogue on overcoming challenges in implementing district cooling across different regions.
Speakers:
- Victoria Liénard, Policy Advisor, Euroheat & Power, moderator
- Benjamin Hickman, Senior Advisor – Cooling and Urban Energy, UNEP
- Andrea Voight, Vice President, Global Public Affairs & Sustainability, Danfoss
- Samer Khoudeir, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Empower
- Diana Adam, Policy and Regulation Officer, BEW Berlin
