Faced with increasing demand for refrigerators caused by high temperatures, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) presented a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). sector around the world.
The initiative explains that refrigeration provides relief to people and is also essential for other critical areas and services such as global food security and vaccine storage and supply.
But at the same time, systems such as air conditioning are one of the main causes of climate change and are responsible for more than seven percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
If not managed properly, the energy required for space cooling will triple by 2050, along with associated emissions, the document says.
The proposal has been signed by more than 60 countries and is called the “Cooling Commitment to Reduce Their Climate Impact,” which could also provide universal access to cooling that saves lives, eases strain on energy grids and saves trillions of dollars by 2050.
Agency data shows that more than a billion people are at high risk of suffering from extreme heat due to a lack of access to cooling, the vast majority in Africa and Asia. In addition, almost a third of the world’s population is exposed to deadly heat waves for more than 20 days a year. In contrast, “the more we try to stay cool, the more we warm the planet,” as current cooling systems such as air conditioners and refrigerators consume large amounts of energy and often use refrigerants that warm the planet.
In this context, UNEP estimates that the introduction of measures to reduce the energy consumption of these devices could lead to a reduction in projected sectoral emissions by at least 60 percent by 2050.
“The refrigeration sector must grow to protect everyone from rising temperatures, maintain food quality and safety, keep vaccines stable and keep the economy productive,” said the UN agency’s executive director, Inger Andersen, who presented the report at CIP28 introduced.
Recommendations to achieve this include thermal insulation, natural shading, ventilation and reflective surfaces, stricter energy efficiency standards and rapid reductions in climate-warming fluorocarbon refrigerants.
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