Empower reinforces partnership with UNEP at ADSW 2026

DUBAI, UAE, 14 January 2026: Empower said its CEO, H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar met Lily Riahi, Head and Global Coordinator, UNEP Cool Coalition, along with the Coalition team, on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026.

Making the announcement through a press release, Empower said that extensive discussions were held during the meeting on several key topics, including strengthening cooperation to promote district cooling globally, supporting UNEP’s events and initiatives, and exploring ways to raise awareness of sustainable cooling solutions and provide advisory support for national- and state-level policies on efficient cooling.

Empower said the meeting also addressed prospects for cooperation in technical support, including expertise contributions for establishing District Cooling systems in cities, technical feasibility assessments, training and development, information exchange, validation of District Cooling systems and operational advice.

According to Empower, the two sides discussed sustainable business models for District Cooling services, particularly the ‘utility-service’ model and the company’s integrated end-to-end service model, covering design, build, operation, maintenance, metering, billing and customer service.

Empower said these efforts align with the framework of the Cool Coalition’s Global Cooling Pledge, launched at the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), hosted by the UAE.

The company added that H.E. Bin Shafar and Lily Riahi also discussed ways to expand and accelerate the adoption of sustainable cooling solutions in countries that have joined the pledge, which has attracted 72 countries and more than 80 partners within just 18 months. The meeting, Empower said, further focused on collaboration to achieve the objectives of the pledge through support for international mechanisms, including the adoption of EPIC (engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning) contracts for cooling facilities and the wider implementation of the ‘cooling as a service’ concept.

Empower said H.E. Bin Shafar stressed the importance of international partnerships in accelerating the adoption of sustainable cooling solutions, noting that District Cooling is among the effective solutions supporting global efforts to address climate change challenges and achieve Net Zero.

H.E. Bin Shafar said: “We work within the framework of the wise leadership’s forward-looking vision, which places strong emphasis on District Cooling within national plans to enhance energy efficiency and build a sustainable, carbon-free future. The Global Cooling Pledge represents a practical embodiment of these efforts and serves as a key driver of international initiatives in the District Cooling sector. Through this framework, efforts are focused on translating global commitments into concrete actions on the ground and advancing the transition to innovative and sustainable cooling solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate action.”

He added: “Based on Dubai and the UAE’s leading position in the global sustainable District Cooling sector, Empower is keen to build bridges of constructive dialogue, enhance cooperation and joint efforts with global partners, and lead initiatives to advance the District Cooling sector and promote its wider global adoption.”

Empower said its previous engagements at several international events, including COP28 and global virtual seminars, form part of its efforts to support the Cool Coalition’s initiatives to promote the adoption of sustainable solutions, facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices, and highlight the vital role of district cooling in reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency, and achieving global sustainability goals.