SPACECOOL CEO to Join Two COP31 Panel Discussionsas an Expert in Passive Cooling Technology
Masahiro Suemitsu, Representative Director and CEO of SPACECOOL INC., will speak on two sustainable cooling panels as an expert in passive cooling technology. The panels will take place on November 12 and 13 at the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), which runs from November 9 to 20, 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye.
November 12 | Passive First for Cooler Cities
As extreme heat intensifies in cities, a passive-first approach prioritizes building design, material selection, orientation, shading and natural ventilation to limit heat gain and reduce cooling demand. At the urban scale, greening, highly reflective surfaces and climate-responsive planning can reduce heat exposure and mitigate the urban heat island effect. Drawing on case studies and local experience, the session will highlight proven passive cooling solutions and explore how to apply them in other regions and incorporate them into building design, urban planning and public spaces.
| Date and time | November 12, 2026, 15:30–16:30 Japan time (09:30–10:30 Türkiye time) |
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| Partners | United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) / Cool Coalition and Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE) |
| Venue | Resilient Cities, Buildings and Cooling Pavilion, Blue Zone (C505) |
| Event details | https://coolcoalition.org/events/passive-first-cooler-cities |
November 13 | Tackling Heatwaves through the Global Cooling Pledge:Japanese Solutions for Sustainable Cooling
The Global Cooling Pledge, led by the UNEP Cool Coalition, provides an international framework for accelerating the adoption of sustainable cooling solutions. As a signatory, Japan brings extensive policy experience and expertise in advanced air conditioning, energy efficiency and passive cooling. The session will examine how Japanese technologies can help tackle heatwaves by expanding access to sustainable cooling across different national and regional contexts.
| Date and time | November 13, 2026, 16:00–17:00 Japan time (10:00–11:00 Türkiye time) |
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| Organizers | Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) / Cool Coalition |
| Venue | COP31 Japan Pavilion, Blue Zone |
| Livestream | https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86921321406?pwd=C3bxT5ghWkDfPsWdfzZxdn6wLIFbxO.1 |
| Event details | https://www.copjapan.go.jp/cop31en/seminar/1301/ |