COP28: Why India remains reluctant to sign the Global Cooling Pledge

A hot country already, climate projections indicate an up to sixfold increase in the frequency of severe heat waves in India by 2060. (Illustration by Suneesh K.)

Cooling, which includes air-conditioning and refrigeration, is responsible for approximately 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. With populations and incomes rising, the cooling sector is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades, making it crucial to address the environmental impact of cooling.

Over 60 countries signed the Global Cooling Pledge, a new initiative launched at COP28 to reduce cooling-related emissions across all sectors by at least 68 percent globally by 2050, compared with 2022 levels.

Transitioning to sustainable cooling technologies requires substantial investments, which could strain the country’s economy and raise the cost of such products.

Yet, the pledge has not found much favour, with several countries, including India, hesitant to sign up. Let’s find out why.

Why is the pledge important?

According to a new report published by the UN Environment Programme-led Cool Coalition at the COP28 climate talks in Dubai, more than 1 billion people are at high risk from extreme heat due to a lack of cooling access, with the vast majority living in Africa and Asia. Nearly a third of the planet’s population is exposed to deadly heat waves for more than 20 days each year. Cooling is also essential for global food security and vaccine delivery through refrigeration.

Conventional cooling, such as air-conditioning, however, is a major driver of climate change, responsible for over 7 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. If not managed properly, energy needs for space cooling are projected to triple by 2050, along with associated emissions.

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What did the report recommend?

The UNEP report outlines a roadmap for sustainable and passive cooling, higher energy-efficiency standards, and a rapid phase-out of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants.

Implementing these measures could reduce projected 2050 emissions from business-as-usual cooling by around 3.8 billion tons of CO2 equivalent. This would:

● Allow an additional 3.5 billion people to benefit from refrigerators, air conditioners, or passive cooling by 2050.

● Reduce electricity bills for end users by US$1 trillion in 2050 and US$17 trillion cumulatively between 2022 and 2050.

● Reduce peak power requirements by between 1.5 and 2 terawatts (TW) – almost double the EU's total generation capacity today.

● Avoid power generation investments in the order of $4 to $5 trillion.

So why is India hesitating to join it?

India faces a unique challenge in balancing its aspirations for development and environmental sustainability. A hot country already, climate projections indicate an up to sixfold increase in the frequency of severe heat waves by 2060. It poses a significant threat to its growing and vulnerable population. This alarming trend also underscores the critical need for effective cooling strategies. It additionally means that cooling is not merely a luxury; it is essential for promoting overall well-being and improving living standards. It should, therefore, be easily accessible and affordable.

Read our COP28 coverage here

As per the International Energy Agency, the country’s electricity consumption for air conditioning is projected to increase nine-fold by 2050, outpacing growth in every other major household appliance. Strict adherence to the Global Cooling Pledge's ambitious targets could potentially restrict access to affordable cooling, particularly in the short term. Also, providing affordable cooling that is energy-efficient and climate-friendly poses significant challenges.

Additionally, transitioning to sustainable cooling technologies requires substantial investments, which could strain the country’s economy and raise the cost of such products.

Lastly, India has raised concerns about the principle of equity, emphasising that developed countries, with their greater historical responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions, should bear a larger burden in emissions reduction efforts.

At the same time, the country’s commitment to addressing the climate impact of cooling is evident in its own Cooling Action Plan, announced in 2019. It aims to reduce power consumption for cooling across sectors by 20-25 percent by 2038. India’s focus continues to remain on developing and implementing cost-effective and technically feasible solutions that align with its dual goals of environmental sustainability and economic development. It’s why it remains reluctant to sign the pledge.

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