In response to rising temperatures and growing cooling demand, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has introduced a dedicated methodology to help countries across the Middle East and North Africa develop National Cooling Action Plans (NCAPs).

The document proposes a comprehensive approach that combines energy efficiency, passive building design, sustainable refrigerant management, cold chain development and the deployment of low-emission technologies, tailored to the region’s climatic, economic and institutional context.

The methodology also highlights the need to improve data quality, strengthen coordination across public authorities and align cooling strategies with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Kigali Amendment and other international commitments. In addition, it incorporates principles of equity, universal access to cooling and resilience to extreme heat, while identifying financing, governance and monitoring mechanisms to support the implementation of measures and position sustainable cooling as a key component of regional adaptation and development policies.