The Cooling Emissions and Policy Synthesis Report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) states that, by combining energy efficiency improvements with the transition away from super-polluting refrigerants, the world can avoid cumulative greenhouse gas emissions of between 210-460 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent(GtCO2e) over the next four decades. This equals 4-8 years(roughly) of total annual global greenhouse gas emissions, based on 2018 levels.
- An estimated 3.6 billion cooling appliances are in use worldwide. If cooling is provided to everybody who needs it, this will require about 14 billion cooling appliances by 2050.
About the Report:
i.The report was authored by a range of experts under the guidance of a 15-member steering committee co-chaired by Mario Molina- President, Centro Mario Molina, Mexico, and Durwood Zaelke- President, Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development, USA.
ii.The report is supported by the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Programme (K-CEP).
Key Projections of the report
Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol
i.The countries can integrate them into their implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that destroy the ozone layer.
ii.This will phase-down the production and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), climate-warming refrigerant gases.
iii.This can avoid up to 0.4°C of global warming by 2100.
Other available policy options that can make cooling part of climate and sustainable development solutions includes:
This is in addition to the implementation of the Kigali Amendment
i.International cooperation through universal ratification and initiatives such as the Cool Coalition and the Biarritz Pledge for Fast Action on Efficient Cooling.
ii.National Cooling Action Plans under the Paris Agreement
iii.Development and implementation of Minimum Energy Performance Standards and energy efficiency labelling.
iv.Promotion of building codes and other considerations to reduce demand for refrigerant and mechanical cooling
v.Campaigns to stop environmentally harmful product dumping
vi.Sustainable cold-chains to reduce food loss and emissions from cold chains.
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ii.As per the “Global Status Report on Preventing Violence Against Children 2020”, a first of its kind report by United Nations upto 1 bn children experience violence annually as countries fail to protect them.
About UNEP:
Headquarters– Nairobi, Kenya
Executive Director– Inger Andersen(Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations)
About IEA
Headquarters– Paris, France
Executive Director– Fatih Birol
