In the Developed World, air conditioning is something we take for granted, as ubiquitous as running water or electricity. Increasingly, that is the case in the Developing World too, with demand for air conditioning set to rise dramatically in the coming decades.
As buildings use more than half of the world’s electricity, with air conditioning accounting for 20 per cent of that, this is a huge issue with regards emissions. It is vital then that policies that drive air conditioning efficiency are implemented. One such programme is United4Efficiency.
What is the United4Efficiency program?
United4Efficiency (U4E) is a global effort led by UN Environment that brings together groups from around the world, aiming to inform policymakers of the environmental and financial savings of a transition to high-efficiency products; identify and promote global best practices in transforming markets; and offer assistance to governments so they can develop strategies to achieve a fast transformation to more efficient products. As part of this effort, the Caribbean Cooling Initiative was launched in 2018, focusing on refrigerators and air conditioners in five Caribbean countries: Barbados, Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and St. Lucia. A National Cooling Strategy was written for each country with the aim of showcasing the myriad benefits of a rapid and comprehensive transition to energy efficient and climate friendly air conditioners and refrigerators.
Why is this important?
Electricity demand is set to more than double by 2030 in developing and emerging economies, which will result in a huge rise in emissions. It is vital therefore, that a transition to high-efficiency products takes place which will allow everyone to enjoy the benefits of their increased incomes while minimising their impact on climate change. “It is a huge issue,” says Loreto Duffy-Mayers, the Caribbean Cooling Initiative’s Project Lead. “And it is vital we make these changes as quickly as possible.”
What is the problem?
“The demand for air conditioning has increased so much that it is putting tremendous strain on the electricity grids,” Duffy-Mayers says. “In Barbados, for example, if you install air conditioning in your house, your electricity bill will double. What U4E looked at was setting up standards for air conditioners and refrigerators in these five countries.” Essentially, inefficient air conditioners not only use more electricity but cause more emissions and cost more money to run. Another issue was a lack of clarity in terms of what types of air conditioning units are already in these countries, with the respective governments not knowing what types of air conditioning units are being used in the country.
Is it just about electricity?
Unfortunately not. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are potent man-made greenhouse gases used as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (ODS), which are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol, and are released by some refrigerants in air conditioners and fridges. The abundance of HFCs in the atmosphere is increasing rapidly, by as much as 10 to 15 per cent per year. If no measures are taken, HFCs have been estimated to amount to 9 to 19 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Caribbean Cooling Initiative is sponsored by The Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program (K-CEP), a philanthropic collaborative that works in tandem with the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol by helping developing countries transition to energy-efficient, climate-friendly, and affordable cooling solutions.
What is the solution?
“Ultimately we are looking to get the respective governments to put pressure on businesses to stop importing inefficient equipment,” Duffy-Mayers says. “We also operate under CARICOM, which is the Caribbean equivalent of the European Union. It has come with new standards, but these are lower than what the UN has recommended. Countries can adopt the CARICOM standards, but we are asking them to adhere to the higher standards when it comes to government procurement. We are also focusing on the hospitality sector and ask that hotels be encouraged to look at more energy efficient equipment. While the costs of new, more energy efficient equipment can be higher, the overall cost is lower if you factor in the reduced electricity bills. We wrote national cooling strategies for five islands and presented these to the countries, and these are at different stages of progress.”
Are there other solutions?
Recent years have seen a number of devices that can cool rooms without using electricity, such as this evaporative cooler, that uses a four gallon tank of water to cool a room for 10-12 days. There are of course plenty of battery powered fans on the market, but these tend to be inefficient and ineffective in hot climates. Smart design can also help, and there are plenty of lessons that can be learned from traditional building methods when electricity did not exist. Thick walls absorb heat, as does white paint, while a central covered courtyard provides shade. Wind towers have been used since at least 1300 BCE in the Middle East – they are square turrets with four opens ides placed on the roof of buildings that funnel wind into the building. Many architects are now looking at these traditional design solutions that mean air conditioners are not needed.
What is the status now?
According to Duffy-Mayers, “we still have involvement and we are available to the governments at all times, we are just waiting at the moment for the various National Cooling Strategies to be passed.” In Jamaica, the National Cooling Strategy has been prepared for cabinet submission and Duffy-Mayers is optimistic. “I am very optimistic that more efficient cooling equipment will be used in this region and that as a result, both electricity usage and emissions will fall,” she says. As for HFCs, their phaseout starts in some developed countries in 2024 and in other developed countries in 2028.