**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh addressed the Inaugural Plenary of the Global Heat and Cooling Forum on April 20, 2026, highlighting the implementation of the "India Cooling Action Plan" across 250 cities. The speech emphasized that global warming poses a significant threat to health, the environment, and the economy, necessitating India-specific cooling solutions. Key objectives include balancing cooling access with sustainability and integrating climate science with healthcare research to mitigate rising health risks.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP)**
* The plan is currently implemented in over 250 cities across India to strengthen climate resilience.
* India aims to lead in sustainable cooling by adopting strategies tailored to its unique geography and population of 1.4 billion.
**Climate Diversity and Customised Solutions**
* India's diverse climate, characterized by simultaneous extremes of heat and cold, requires customized strategies rather than uniform global models.
* The Minister called for India-specific research to address local environmental and economic challenges.
**Health and Environmental Impact**
* Rising temperatures are directly linked to increased health risks, including communicable and non-communicable diseases such as dengue and cardiovascular conditions.
* The Minister emphasized that heat stress is making climate response a public health priority.
* Increased dependence on modern cooling systems is noted to have reduced natural human tolerance levels.
**Energy Efficiency and Responsible Usage**
* Excessive use of air conditioning increases energy consumption and places additional stress on the national economy and environment.
* Responsible consumption, such as using optimal temperature settings, is essential for resource savings and reducing energy demand.
**Social Equity and Collaboration**
* Ensuring equitable access to cooling is critical to prevent deepening social inequalities.
* Collaborative efforts between government agencies, research institutions, and international organizations are required to develop inclusive, scalable solutions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government Agencies and Policy Makers**
**Impact**
Responsible for managing cooling and heat-related strategies that affect both domestic and global climate action.
**Action Required**
Develop and implement practical, scalable, and inclusive cooling solutions while fostering collaboration with international and research bodies.
**Research Institutions and Healthcare Systems**
**Impact**
Tasked with addressing the intersection of climate change and evolving disease patterns.
**Action Required**
Conduct integrated research that connects climate science with healthcare to address vulnerabilities related to heart disease, diabetes, and tropical diseases.
**General Population and Consumers**
**Impact**
Affected by health risks from heat stress and high energy costs from excessive cooling.
**Action Required**
Adopt responsible consumption practices, including the use of optimal temperature settings on cooling devices to contribute to national resource savings.
Key Entities Referenced
India Cooling Action Plan: A national policy framework aimed at providing sustainable cooling and thermal comfort while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact across Indian cities.
Global Heat and Cooling Forum: An international platform where stakeholders discuss strategies to manage rising temperatures, heat stress, and the integration of climate science with public health.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, who outlined India's climate-resilient cooling initiatives and the need for India-specific research.
Department of Science & Technology (DST): The primary government department involved in organizing the Global Heat and Cooling Forum and driving research for sustainable development.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Global warming poses threat to health,
environment, and overall economy, across the
world: Dr Jitendra Singh
"India Cooling Action Plan" rolled out, already implemented in
over 250 cities across the country, says the Minister
India’s Diverse Climate Demands Unique Cooling Solutions,
Not One-Size-Fits-All Models: Dr Jitendra Singh
Excessive Cooling Practices Increasing Energy Burden, Need
for Responsible Usage: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 20 APR 2026 6:08PM by PIB Delhi
India is strengthening its commitment to sustainable cooling and climate resilience through the
implementation of the "India Cooling Action Plan" which is already implemented in over 250 cities across
the country, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and
MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said
today, adding that global warming poses threat to health, environment, and overall economy, across the
world.
Addressing the Global Heat and Cooling Forum, the Minister emphasised that rising temperatures are not
only an environmental concern but also directly linked to increasing health risks, including both
communicable and non-communicable diseases. He stressed the need for India-specific research and
solutions, noting that heat stress is impacting conditions ranging from dengue to cardiovascular diseases,
making climate response a public health priority as well.
The Minister was speaking at the Inaugural Plenary of the Global Heat and Cooling Forum, organised
with the participation of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), National Disaster Management
Authority (NDMA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), Natural Resources Defense
Council (NRDC), and other stakeholders. The session brought together key experts including Dr. Krishna
Vatsa, Dr. Nisha Mendiratta, Mr. Manish Bapna, Ms. Dipa Singh Bagai, Dr. Adelle Thomas, and Dr.
Radhika Khosla, among others, representing leading national and international institutions working in
climate, disaster resilience and sustainable development.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that climate change-induced heat is a global phenomenon affecting every region,
but India faces a unique situation due to its diverse climatic conditions, simultaneously experiencing
extreme heat and extreme cold across different geographies. He pointed out that this diversity demands
customised strategies rather than adopting uniform global models.Referring to changing disease patterns, the Minister noted that India today is dealing with both tropical
diseases and lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases at the same time. Rising temperatures are
aggravating both categories, increasing vulnerability among populations, especially those with conditions
such as heart disease and diabetes. He called for integrated research that connects climate science with
healthcare systems.
The Minister also drew attention to changing human adaptability, stating that increased dependence on
modern cooling systems has altered natural tolerance levels. He highlighted the importance of balancing
access to cooling with sustainability, cautioning against excessive use of air conditioning, which increases
energy consumption and places additional stress on the environment and economy.
The Minister stressed that equitable access to cooling solutions must be ensured, as disparities in access
can deepen social inequalities. At the same time, he called for responsible consumption practices, noting
that optimal temperature settings can significantly reduce energy demand and contribute to national
resource savings.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that India, with its population of over 1.4 billion, holds a critical position in
global climate action. He said that the country’s approach to managing heat and cooling will have
implications not only domestically but also globally.
He reiterated that collaborative efforts involving government agencies, research institutions and
international organisations, such as those represented at the forum, will play a crucial role in developing
practical, scalable and inclusive solutions.
The Minister concluded by calling for actionable outcomes from such platforms, stating that solutions
must begin with immediate, practical steps while contributing to long-term sustainability goals.*****
NKR/AK
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