ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have launched a regional roadmap to accelerate passive cooling adoption, as Southeast Asia faces worsening heat risks that could strain energy systems, urban infrastructure and economic productivity.
The “Roadmap for Extreme Heat Protection through Passive Cooling in ASEAN Region” warns that ASEAN could face up to 120 days a year above 35°C by 2050, driven by rapid urbanisation and climate change.
The roadmap positions passive cooling such as natural ventilation, reflective roofs and high-performance building envelopes as a key response, with the potential to reduce cooling energy demand by 20% to 50% under a “passive first” design approach.
This comes as governments and businesses across the region face growing pressure to improve building resilience while managing rising electricity use linked to air-conditioning demand.
According to the report, adoption across ASEAN remains limited despite growing interest, with barriers including high upfront costs, limited technical expertise, weak awareness of financing options and concerns over investment returns.
Among its key recommendations, the roadmap calls for passive cooling requirements to be embedded into national building codes, while aligning policy support with regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030 and countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
ACE said the strategy could also support ASEAN’s target of reducing energy intensity by 40%, while improving affordability and resilience in both urban and rural areas.
The initiative is expected to guide future collaboration between ASEAN member states, developers, designers and financing institutions as the region looks to adapt its buildings and cities to a hotter climate.
