Following Sri Lanka's participation in the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Ministry of Environment has launched a national policy initiative promoting passive cooling building designs across metropolitan commercial and residential developments.

Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody highlighted that integrating natural cross-ventilation, reflective cool roofs, external thermal shading, and traditional architectural ventilation features can maintain indoor ambient temperatures between 23°C and 25°C without intensive mechanical air conditioning. Officials noted that widespread adoption of passive cooling techniques will substantially reduce peak grid electricity demands, curb urban heat island effects in Colombo, and accelerate national greenhouse gas reduction targets.