In the wake of COP28 in Dubai, CLASP is reflecting on the past two weeks of global discourse and collaboration in pursuit of a better world. Though global commitments illustrated positive diplomacy among the international community, the world needs heroic action to get on pace with Net Zero targets.

The CLASP team and partners participated in over 15 events throughout COP28 – showcasing data-backed solutions to drive climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience through efficient appliances in a rapidly warming world.

Cooling

Global momentum for efficient cooling for people and planet was on full display across Expo City in Dubai, with over 60 countries signing on to the Global Cooling Pledge. The pledge outlines a global pathway for cutting climate-warming emissions from cooling by at least 68% by 2050 and increasing the efficiency of cooling appliances.

Aligned with the cooling focus, CLASP hosted the “Pathways to Prevent the Dumping of Inefficient Appliances with Obsolete Refrigerants,” providing a platform for solution-focused dialogue on curbing the dumping of inefficient technologies. The event showcased proven best practices, including policy and trade interventions. Additionally, CLASP’s Chief Communications Officer Corinne Schneider served as a guest judge for finalist cooling innovations by youth from the Global South for SEforALL’s This Is Cool Challenge. Senior Director Bishal Thapa also contributed by joining a panel led by the UNEP’s Cool Coalition to discuss the critical role of data as a driver for sustainable cooling access for all.

Just Energy Transition

In an official UN side event, CLASP, Climate Action Network, and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung spotlighted the urgent need for efficient appliance solutions in a just energy transition. CLASP Senior Director Ana Maria Carreño joined colleagues at the Malaysia Pavilion for “Net Zero Heroes: The Efficient Appliances Helping Cities Mitigate & Adapt to Climate Change,” illustrating how cities are climate mitigation leaders, leading their nations in the implementation of climate solutions. Partners included ASEAN Centre for Energy, Climate Action Network- Southeast Asia and UN-Habitat.

Energy Efficiency 

Energy efficiency finally earned its moment as a low-cost and highly effective mitigation solution. In a historic move, the official Convention text now includes, for the first time, a global goal of doubling energy efficiency. These text additions align with recommendations from CLASP’s Net Zero Heroes report, which identifies 10 appliances crucial for promoting climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.

CLASP CEO, Christine Egan, joined representatives from the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, Edison Electric Institute, Mission Efficiency, and Sustainable Energy for All at a press conference on the Mission Efficiency call to action and pledges. Mission Efficiency urges Parties to the Paris Agreement to commit to more than doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvements annually by 2030. Additionally, CLASP Manager, Lauren Boucher, participated in the “Reflecting Product Energy Efficiency in Sub-Saharan African Countries’ NDCs” event by the International Energy Agency (IEA). She highlighted CLASP’s report, “Getting Appliances Back on Track,” which tracks the progress of 15 countries that pledged to double the energy efficiency of four product categories by 2030 through the SEAD Initiative’s COP26 Call to Action.

Agreements made at COP28 are on the right track. CLASP and our partners have the solutions to propel leaders to action. The targets in CLASP’s Net Zero Heroes report lay out critical moves. We must prioritize efficient appliances now, and our work is just getting started.

Let’s be #NetZeroHeroes together.