In a world being threatened by global warming, access to sustainable cooling has become a necessity and an issue of equity.
Heatwaves kill 12,000 people per year today, a number projected to rise to 255,000 by 2050 unless we adapt to the threat. The analysis for 2022 shows that across 54 high-impact countries identified in previous Chilling Prospects reports, 1.2 billion people among the rural and urban poor are at high risk due to a lack of access to cooling.
In addition, about 2.47 billion lower-middle-income people pose a different kind of risk: they will soon be able to purchase the most affordable air conditioner or refrigerator, but price sensitivity and limited purchasing options mean they favor devices that are likely to be inefficient, threatening energy systems and resulting in increased GHG emissions.
Furthermore, rising temperatures also pose a threat to our food and healthcare systems. The ability to keep vaccines and medicine cool is critical to ensuring people’s well-being and equitable global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cold chains can help farmers earn higher incomes, create jobs, and reduce malnourishment – all while drastically reducing emissions from what is equivalent to the 3rd largest global emitter: food wastage.
Delivering cooling needs with sustainable, affordable solutions will be key to achieving many Sustainable Development Goals.
The Cooling for All program by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) advocates for greater action on sustainable cooling and develops evidence, partnerships, policy, and tools to make that action possible. So, if you have a proposed technology or policy initiative to accelerate access to affordable and sustainable cooling, this challenge is for you.
Eligibility criteria
Youth-led sustainable cooling solutions that can help deliver on one of more of the three cooling needs are eligible:
- Human comfort and safety: passive or active personal, space or urban cooling
- Food, nutrition, and agriculture: agricultural cold chain
- Health services: vaccine and medical cold chain
Initiatives may be in the ideation or implementation stage and should demonstrate potential for impact in terms of improving affordability and increasing access to sustainable cooling through one or more of the following:
- Passive and nature-based solutions
- Renewable-based solutions
- Energy-efficient solutions
Submission criteria
- Entries may be submitted by individuals or groups of up to 5 individuals, all under 35 years of age.
- Preliminary entries submitted by 30 June 2022 will receive additional guidance and support prior to the final submission.
- All final entries must be submitted by 26 September 2022 through the Entry Submission Form in English or French.
Assessment Criteria
All submissions will be assessed based on the following criteria:
- Goal alignment
- Functionality and relevance
- Outcome and impact
- Scalability and implementation
Benefits
Three teams will be shortlisted to present live at COP 27 (TBD), where the winner will be announced
- Prizes: Three teams will receive cash prizes (USD 3,000, USD 2,000, and USD 1,000) from Sustainable Cooling for All to support the implementation of the idea
- Visibility: Spotlight feature from SEforALL (and partners) as well as exhibition opportunities (e.g., SEforALL Forum)
- Incubation support: Coming soon.
Got what it takes? Fill out the form here: https://www.seforall.org/thisiscool-challenge
