As the world warms up, the growing use of ACs and other cooling equipment will accelerate, and the extra energy needed to power the equipment will itself increase global warming. Two authoritative reports published this week grapple with how to break this vicious circle, and keep people cool without heating the planet.

This factsheet provides an overview of the growing Indian AC market, strategies to advance climate- friendly ACs, and market opportunities under the Montreal Protocol.

Today the Tang Prize for Sustainable Development 2018 was awarded to Professor V. Ramanathan and Dr. James Hansen recognizing their pioneering work on climate change and its impact on the sustainability of the earth.

Global energy demand for ACs is projected to triple by 2050, and when met with the current fossil fuel-heavy electricity generation will nearly double greenhouse gas emissions from this sector, further increasing the world’s need for cooling in a dangerous feedback loop.