Passive cooling solutions to curb oppressive heat conditions

The impact of heat in India has been severe in recent years, with numerous heat-related deaths, widespread reports of heatstroke and school closures reported. This year, the thermometer climbed above 40°C in many places in late April, earlier than normal, according to a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) feature.

- Meena Janardhan

“Even if nations start bringing down the greenhouse gas emissions warming the planet, temperature extremes are here to stay for the foreseeable future,” said Balakrishna Pisupati, who leads the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) India office. “Facing the kind of oppressive heat we have seen, people across this country will need to adapt, especially in ways that do not worsen the climate crisis...This is where passive cooling solutions come in, he adds.

According to the UNEP feature, passive cooling solutions range from reflective roofs to cool pavements to shade-providing tree cover. Crucially, and unlike air conditioning, these solutions do not spew out planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions nor enflame the climate crisis. India has emerged as a global champion of passive cooling, integrating these approaches into national policies and city planning, often with the support of UNEP.