On June 28, 2024, Tabreed India, as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Tabreed India and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH’s ‘Energy Efficiency Cooling’ programme, jointly implemented with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power hosted a pivotal regional workshop in Chennai titled ‘Cooling India’s Cities’. This event marked the beginning of a series of workshops aimed at addressing India’s growing need for sustainable urban cooling solutions such as district cooling. The workshop saw diverse participation from key stakeholders, including representatives from the State Planning Commission, Tamil Nadu Energy Efficiency Services Ltd, and the Commissionerate of Municipal Administration. The discussions focused on district cooling’s ability to deliver up to 50% energy savings compared to traditional systems, along with significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption. Tabreed India presented case studies demonstrating the viability of district cooling in Tamil Nadu, particularly within urban planning frameworks that incorporate green technologies and circular resource use. The roundtable played a pivotal role in identifying both the challenges and opportunities across various stakeholders for scaling up District Cooling systems. Experts underscored the importance of long-term planning, robust regulatory frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration to enable broader adoption. The discussion also focused on ensuring financial viability, seamless technological integration, and leveraging public-private partnerships to accelerate the implementation of district cooling projects. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the roundtable highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to overcome barriers and capitalize on opportunities in this evolving sector. This workshop laid the groundwork for creating an enabling policy environment that supports the adoption of district cooling in Tamil Nadu. As the state grapples with rising energy demands and urban growth, district cooling offers a path to sustainable development that aligns with both environmental goals and economic aspirations. The event underscored Tamil Nadu’s leadership in the cooling space and set a collaborative tone for future action.