To deliver sustainable cooling for all in alignment with climate goals, a full assessment of cooling needs across buildings, cities, agriculture and health services, is a necessary first step. The implications that cooling demand has for energy systems, climate change, clean air and human well-being must be thoroughly understood.

This study aimed to understand how rural communities are meeting their nutrition, livelihood, health, living space, and mobility requirements regarding the role of cooling. It selected three villages as case studies in Maharashtra, India and conducted household surveys, in-depth interviews of key informants, focus group discussions (FGDs), and social mapping building typology study. The objective was to assess the rural community cooling to propose a community cooling hub (CCH) framework that could be economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable for the three villages. The study showed that agriculture, dairy, buildings (domestic and commercial), and healthcare require cooling intervention in the studied communities. Based on the needs assessment for cooling, the study proposed a CCH framework to provide cooling solutions in an integrated system for rural contexts.