Global Cooling Pledge

Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Context
At the ongoing COP28 climate summit in Dubai, approximately 63 nations have committed to the world’s first-ever pledge to significantly reduce cooling emissions.

Global Cooling Pledge:

• Joint Initiative: The United Arab Emirates, as the host of COP28, and the UNEP-led ‘Cool Coalition’ have come together for this initiative.
• Focus: This is the first global effort to concentrate on energy emissions from the cooling sector.
• Passive Cooling Strategies: The pledge details measures like insulation, natural shading, ventilation, and reflective surfaces. It also emphasizes higher energy efficiency standards and a swift reduction of climate-warming hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants.
• Aim: The pledge binds the participating nations to cut their cooling emissions by at least 68% by 2050.
• Outcome: The implementation of this pledge could potentially lower the projected 2050 emissions from standard cooling practices by approximately 3.8 billion tons of CO2 equivalent.

Commitments in the Global Cooling Pledge:

• Ratification: Ratify the Kigali Amendment by 2024.
• Support for Montreal Protocol: Back robust action through the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund for early action to reduce HFC consumption.
• MEPS: Establish Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for air conditioning by 2030.
• Inclusion in Climate Action Plans: Incorporate cooling emissions in countries’ overall climate action plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions.
• National Cooling Action Plans: Publish their own national cooling action plans by 2026.
• Efficient AC Technologies: Support the deployment of highly efficient air conditioning technologies.
• Building Energy Codes: Establish national model building energy codes by 2030.
• Fluorocarbons Management: Pursue the life cycle management of fluorocarbons through the Initiative on Fluorocarbons Life Cycle Management.
• Support for UNEP-led Cool Coalition: Back initiatives such as the United Nations Environment Programme-led Cool Coalition, to advance global cooperation and domestic actions.
• Research and Innovation: Support collaborative research, innovation, and deployment activities at the local and international level.

Cooling emissions primarily refer to the emissions produced from refrigerants, which are utilized in devices such as air conditioners and refrigerators, as well as the energy expended for cooling purposes.

Sources of cooling emissions:

• Coolants: These substances facilitate the refrigeration process by rapidly changing state and absorbing and releasing heat, enabling the cooling process.
• Chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs): Previously the most commonly used refrigerant, increased levels of CFCs in the atmosphere have been linked to unusually low ozone concentrations in Antarctica.
• Alternatives to CFC: CFCs were largely replaced by two groups of chemicals, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). However, these alternatives presented a new problem. They do not damage the ozone layer but they absorb infrared radiation, trapping heat inside the atmosphere instead of allowing it to escape back into space. This creates a greenhouse effect that warms the Earth.
• According to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, even relatively small amounts of HFCs significantly contribute to near-term warming as greenhouse gases. These gases are hundreds to thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) per unit of mass.
• HFC-134a: This form of HFC, most commonly used in domestic fridges, has a global warming potential that is 3,400 times that of CO2.
• Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are the largest contributors to climate change, accounting for over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90% of all CO2 emissions.

Benefits of the Global Cooling Pledge:

• Cooling Accessibility: By 2050, around 3.5 billion additional people could have access to refrigerators, air conditioners, or passive cooling, enhancing their health and well-being.
• Lower Electricity Bills: End users could save $1 trillion in 2050 and $17 trillion cumulatively from 2022 to 2050 by using less power for cooling.
• Reduced Peak Power Demand: The power grid could be relieved by reducing peak power requirements by 1.5 to 2 terawatts (TW), which is nearly double the current capacity of the European Union.
• Cut Investments: By saving $4 to $5 trillion in power generation investments, the need for building new power plants could be avoided.

Way forward:

• Kigali Amendment: This is an amendment to the Montreal Protocol, signed by 150 countries in 2016, with the goal of reducing HFC consumption by 80% by 2047. If this goal is achieved, it could prevent more than 0.4 degrees Celsius of global warming by 2100.
• Climate-Friendly Chemicals: The phase-out of HFCs would encourage the use of natural refrigerants such as ammonia, certain hydrocarbons, and CO2 in cooling devices. These refrigerants have lower or zero global warming potential.
• Proper Disposal: The majority of HFCs and HCFCs are released at the end of an appliance’s life. Therefore, it’s crucial for consumers and authorities to dispose of them properly. Proper management and reuse of potent refrigerant gases could cut 100 billion gigatons of global CO2 emissions between 2020 and 2050.
• Sustainable Buildings: Enhancing insulation materials and designing buildings with large openings for better ventilation can help reduce indoor heat. This could cool buildings without the need for air conditioning.
• Holistic Approach: Sustainable cooling can be affordable if governments adopt an integrated approach. This approach should emphasize passive cooling, mandate energy efficiency, phase out harmful refrigerants, and provide targeted financial support to vulnerable populations.

Source: Indian Express

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Practice Question

Discuss the significance of the Global Cooling Pledge in the context of climate change. Evaluate its potential impact on sustainable development and energy consumption. Also, suggest measures to effectively implement the commitments under this pledge in developing countries. (250 words)