COP28: Key strategies can reduce cooling equipment power consumption and cut emissions by 60%
5 billion people could benefit from life-saving cooling
An analytic report released during the ongoing COP28 climate talks in Dubai reveals that implementing curated measures to reduce the power consumption of cooling equipment globally could lead to a substantial 60-96% reduction in predicted 2050 sectoral emissions.
The report, titled ‘Keeping it Chill: How to meet cooling demands while cutting emissions,’ is part of the Global Cooling Watch initiative led by the UN Environment Programme’s Cool Coalition.
This research supports the Global Cooling Pledge, a joint initiative by the UAE, the host of COP28, and the Cool Coalition. Over 60 countries have already committed to the Pledge, vowing to reduce the climate impact of the cooling sector.
The year 2050
Cooling sector greenhouse gas emissions worldwide are expected to more than double by 2050.
If adequately implemented, key measures could slow power growth and cut predicted emissions by 60-96% while also allowing end-users the possibility of saving AED3.68 billion ($1 trillion) annually and the power sector up to AED18.4 trillion ($5 trillion), according to the report’s findings.
The comprehensive report outlines three crucial areas for sustainable cooling: passive cooling, higher energy efficiency standards, and a faster phase-down of climate-warming refrigerants.
These measures would achieve 60% emission cuts if adopted globally, provide universal access to life-saving cooling, and relieve pressure on energy grids.
96% reduction
Furthermore, including rapid power grid decarbonisation could amplify the impact, resulting in an impressive 96% reduction in sectoral emissions.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, highlighted the importance of balancing cooling sector growth with the energy transition, stating: “Getting energy-efficient, sustainable cooling right offers an opportunity to cut global warming, improve the lives of hundreds of millions of people, and realise huge financial savings.”
The report made public on December 5, 2023, sheds light on the challenges of climate change, population growth, and urbanisation, which drive an unsustainable cooling demand surge.
Approximately 1.2 billion people in Africa and Asia lack access to cooling services, leading to severe health risks from extreme heat, reduced farmers’ incomes, food loss, and waste.
Currently, cooling equipment consumes 20% of total electricity, a figure expected to more than double by 2050. If unchecked, emissions from cooling are projected to contribute over 10% of global emissions in 2050.
The report highlights the urgent need to address the rising demand for inefficient equipment, such as air-conditioners and refrigerators, which require substantial investments in electricity generation and distribution infrastructure.
Implementing the report’s recommendations could result in a 3.8 billion-ton reduction in 2050 emissions from business-as-usual cooling. This would enable an additional 3.5 billion people to benefit from cooling services by 2050 and reduce electricity bills for end users by AED3.68 trillion ($1 trillion) in 2050, with cumulative savings reaching AED62.56 trillion ($17 trillion) between 2022 and 2050.
In total, five billion people would be set to benefit from access to life-saving cooling.
The ‘Keeping it Chill: How to meet cooling demands while cutting emissions’ report outlines key actions in three critical areas:
- Passive cooling measures: Strategies such as insulation, natural shading, ventilation, and reflective surfaces could reduce cooling demand by 24% by 2050, resulting in capital cost savings of up to AED11.04 trillion ($3 trillion).
- Higher efficiency standards: Tripling the global average efficiency of cooling equipment by 2050 through higher efficiency standards and better labelling would deliver 30% of modelled energy savings.
- Kigali Amendment: Faster action in phasing down climate-warming hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants through the Kigali Amendment could halve HFC emissions in 2050 compared to the current timetable.
Various financial tools, including on-bill financing, risk-sharing facilities, public and private investments, green mortgages, and concessional finance for developing countries, are crucial to realising this transition.
The Global Cooling Watch report underscores the immediate need for global cooperation and urgent action to address the escalating challenges posed by the growing demand for cooling while mitigating its impact on climate change.
COP28 is taking place at Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
Featured image: Cooling sector greenhouse gas emissions worldwide are expected to more than double by 2050. Image: Krzysztof Kotkowicz
