Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has said that India is strengthening its commitment to sustainable cooling and climate resilience through the implementation of the ‘India Cooling Action Plan’. Addressing the Global Heat and Cooling Forum in New Delhi, the Minister noted that the Cooling Action Plan has already been implemented in over 250 cities across the country. Dr Singh stressed that global warming poses a threat to health, the environment, and the overall economy across the world and said that rising temperatures are not only an environmental concern but are also directly linked to increasing health risks, including both communicable and non-communicable diseases. The Minister further emphasised the need for India-specific research and solutions and noted that heat stress is impacting conditions ranging from dengue to cardiovascular diseases, making climate response a public health priority as well.

Drawing attention to changing human adaptability, he underlined 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. Further, Dr Singh called for actionable outcomes, stating that solutions must begin with immediate, practical steps while contributing to long-term sustainability goals.