Cooling is central to health, prosperity, and the environment. Efficient, clean cooling for all underpins many Sustainable Development Goals and represents an opportunity to avoid substantial climate and air pollutant emissions.
Energy demand for cooling is the fastest growing end-use in buildings, with ten air conditioners expected to be sold every second over the next 30 years. There is consensus in the scientific community that enhancement of energy efficiency in the cooling sector is a strategic, near-term opportunity to realize significant climate and clean air benefits.
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol entered into force in January 1st, 2019. The phase down of HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerants under the amendment has the potential to avoid up to 0.1˚C of warming by 2050 and up to 0.4℃ by 2100. The economic, environmental, and health benefits of catalyzing simultaneous energy efficiency improvements, in concert with the HFC phase down, supports reduced energy consumption and avoided emissions of CO2 and black carbon, which can potentially double the climate benefit of the phase down alone.
To capture this opportunity, the Efficient Cooling Initiative brings together governments, intergovernmental organizations, and the private sector to build high-level political leadership and facilitate collaboration among stakeholders. The aim is to enhance energy efficiency in the cooling sector while countries implement the phase-down of HFC refrigerants under the Montreal Protocol.
Through the Efficient Cooling Initiative, Coalition partners seek to address key challenges related to integrating energy efficiency within the phase-down of HFCs under the Montreal Protocol. The Initiative is working to build high-level political support and awareness on the crucial need to improve cooling energy efficiency and avoid the need for more cooling while disseminating information and expertise and mobilizing finance for energy efficiency in the cooling sector. In its initial phase, the Efficient Cooling Initiative is focusing on:
The Efficient Cooling Initiative's overall objective is to catalyse action on efficient cooling to double the climate benefit of the Kigali Amendment HFC phase-down alone. The Initiative will achieve this by:
Since its launch in 2019, the Efficient Cooling Initiative has engaged with leaders and decision makers to take steps that improve energy efficiency in the cooling sector.
The initiative was launched at the G7 Environment Ministers' meeting in 2019 in Metz, France. Find out more
Lead Partner: A Coalition partner with an active role in coordinating, monitoring and guiding the work of an initiative.
Implementer: A Coalition partner or actor receiving Coalition funds to implement an activity or initiative.
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Agenda for the side event held during the MOP32 of the Montreal Protocol.
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Background document for participants of CCAC Science Policy Dialogue on HFC mitigation, 28 September 2020.
* updated 15 Jan 2021
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