The Gulf's Blueprint for Exporting Climate-Resilient Cooling

Air conditioning has made modern life possible in some of the hottest places on Earth—but it has also become one of the world's fastest-growing sources of energy consumption. As global temperatures continue to rise, a new question is emerging: can we keep our cities cool without overheating the planet? In this episode, we explore how Gulf nations are rethinking climate control, tracing the rise of district-cooling systems that chill entire neighborhoods through centralized networks rather than individual air conditioners. From treated wastewater and geothermal technologies to the growing global demand driven by urbanization and artificial intelligence, we examine why countries once known primarily for their oil exports are becoming leaders in cooling innovation. The story reveals how one of humanity's greatest engineering challenges is no longer simply generating more energy—but finding smarter ways to use it in an increasingly warmer world.https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/23/gulf-countries-are-experts-at-air-conditioning