Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    Menu
    Natural Sciences
    Health
    History & Humanities
    Space & Astronomy
    Technology
    Culture
    Resources
    Natural Sciences

    Physics

    • Matter and Energy
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Thermodynamics

    Chemistry

    • Periodic Table
    • Applied Chemistry
    • Materials
    • Physical Chemistry

    Biology

    • Anatomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Ecology
    • Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Plants and Fungi

    Geology and Paleontology

    • Planet Earth
    • Earth Dynamics
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Volcanoes
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fossils

    Animals

    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Fish
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians
    • Invertebrates
    • Pets
    • Conservation
    • Animals Facts

    Climate and Weather

    • Climate Change
    • Weather and Atmosphere

    Geography

    Mathematics

    Health
    • Drugs
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Human Body
    • Mind and Brain
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Wellness
    History & Humanities
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Economics
    • History
    • People
    • Sociology
    Space & Astronomy
    • The Solar System
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Asteroids, Meteors and Comets
    • Astronomy
    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Exoplanets and Alien Life
    • Spaceflight and Exploration
    Technology
    • Computer Science & IT
    • Engineering
    • Inventions
    • Sustainability
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Living
    Culture
    • Culture and Society
    • Bizarre Stories
    • Lifestyle
    • Art and Music
    • Gaming
    • Books
    • Movies and Shows
    Resources
    • How To
    • Science Careers
    • Metascience
    • Fringe Science
    • Science Experiments
    • School and Study
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science

Climate-friendly air conditioning could cut years’ worth of emissions

We have to start using more efficient cooling devices

Fermin Koop by Fermin Koop
July 21, 2020
in Climate, Environment, News, Science

Up 460 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions (or about eight years’ worth at the current rate) could be avoided over the next four decades if we paid more attention to our air conditioning. Establishing tougher standards on air conditioning and cooling appliances could make a world of a difference a new report claims, with researchers calling for ways to improve the energy efficiency of the cooling industry.

Credit Wikipedia Commons

The Cooling Emissions and Policy Synthesis Report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) has a clear message: they want to make air conditioning more efficient. In the report, the authors argue that by improving the efficiency of refrigerants, we could “freeze” global warming in place for time, offsetting emissions equivalent to 4-8 years of the planet’s emissions.

“By improving cooling efficiency, governments can reduce the need for new power plants, cut emissions and save consumers money. This new report gives policymakers valuable insights to help them address the global cooling challenge,” said in a press release Dr. Fatih Birol, IEA Executive Director.”

Worldwide, an estimated 3.6 billion cooling appliances are already in use. That figure is expected to skyrocket by 400% by 2050 as the planet becomes hotter and the world becomes more affluent. Cheap devices require a lot of electricity and if that electricity comes from coal or gas-fired power plants, we’re just creating a feedback loop that leads to more global warming, and the cycle repeats.

But it’s not a single issue when it comes to the greenhouse gases produced by cooling systems. Many such devices still use hydrofluorocarbons (or HFCs) — a group of potent but short-lived greenhouse gas. Eliminating them is one of the most straightforward ways to tackle climate change, potentially avoiding as much as 0.4 degrees Celsius of warming by the end of the century.

In 2016, countries agreed to a binding treaty known as the Kigali Amendment to eliminate HFCs. However, major polluters such as the US, China, and India haven’t ratified it yet. Even some countries and regions that accepted the treaty are having major difficulties in tackling illegal refrigerants smuggling. Europe’s flourishing illegal HCF trade of hydrofluorocarbons highlights just how challenging this issue is.

“As nations invest in COVID-19 recovery, they have an opportunity to use their resources wisely to reduce climate change, protect nature and reduce risks of further pandemics. Efficient, climate-friendly cooling can help to achieve all of these goals,” said Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director, in a press release.

The report estimates that doubling the energy efficiency of air conditioning by 2050 would reduce the need for 1,300 gigawatts of additional electricity generation capacity to meet peak demand — the equivalent of all the coal-fired power generation capacity in China and India in 2018.

This would also save a lot of money, the report notes. Making air conditioning two times more effective could save the world up to $2.9 trillion by 2050 in reduced electricity generation, transmission and distribution costs alone. Doing so would bring many other benefits, such as increased access to life-saving cooling, improved air quality and reduced food loss and waste, the report says.

But it won’t be easy.

To achieve such goals, the EIA and UNEP recommend a set of policy actions such as implementing energy efficiency labels on cooling equipment, updating building requirements and expanding sustainable cold chains. This involves the transportation of temperature-sensitive products along a supply chain in a way that could prevent food loss and emissions. At the same time, demand for cooling is rising, and supply chains are under immense stress from the coronavirus. It’s a great challenge, but the results will be worth it.

Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Related posts:
  1. How air conditioning is making your city hotter
  2. “Ecological air conditioning” keeps species cool for now, but it won’t last
  3. Italy launches “operation thermostat” to limit the use of air conditioning
  4. In a warming world, air conditioning only makes things worse
  5. Your old air-conditioning might be causing the Arctic to melt
Tags: air conditioningclimate change

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • More
  • About Us

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW