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This report analyzes land-use changes between 2015 and 2019 in the most populous cities of the 'Critical 9' countries to assess the impact of urbanization on the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE) and cooling needs. Using Copernicus Land Monitoring Service data and the IPCC's SSP1-1.9 emissions scenario, the analysis details how the expansion of built-up areas at the expense of natural heat sinks—such as forests, wetlands, and vegetation—increases heat risks for vulnerable populations.

The Delhi-based Ant Studio developed the 'Beehive', a passive, modular façade cooling system that uses terracotta cones and recycled water to reduce indoor temperatures without electricity or harmful gases.

This case study describes the implementation and temperature-reducing effects of cool roof reflective paint in low-income communities and industrial settings in Bangladesh and Indonesia.

This guide by RMI provides strategies for maintaining cool indoor temperatures while reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, particularly during heat waves. It outlines passive cooling methods, natural ventilation techniques, and efficient cooling technologies, supported by two case studies of net-zero and super-insulated homes in Colorado.

This report by Sustainable Energy for All (2020) outlines a comprehensive framework for sustainable cooling, designed to meet global climate goals and Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7). It introduces a structured approach to identifying and optimizing cooling solutions based on specific human needs, a five-part solution approach (Protect, Reduce, Shift, Improve, and Leverage), and four primary solution pillars: technology, services, policy, and finance.

This case study describes the design and performance of the Global Ecology Center (GEC) at Stanford University, an 11,000-square-foot laboratory facility. Using the '10xE' integrative design approach by Factor Ten Engineering, the project achieved significant energy and resource savings through passive design, innovative cooling systems, and strategic spatial planning, resulting in a building with nearly half the operating costs of a comparable existing facility.

This 2004 guide by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) provides homeowners with strategies to reduce space cooling costs and energy use. It advocates for a hierarchical approach: first minimizing heat gain through passive measures, then utilizing low-energy ventilation, and finally selecting the most efficient mechanical cooling systems based on climate and budget.

This report outlines the critical cooling and cold chain needs in Kenya across the agriculture, health, and built environment sectors. It identifies significant food losses, electricity gaps in health facilities, and urban heat risks, while highlighting opportunities for sustainable cooling investments and passive design to improve public health and economic productivity.

This research paper introduces a globally scalable, open-source framework designed to help cities map and quantify the potential for heat-resilient infrastructure. The framework utilizes a new high-resolution urban land-cover dataset called OpenUrban to generate implementation scenarios for passive cooling interventions such as trees, cool roofs, reflective pavements, and shade structures.