Any kind of artificial cooling involves use of energy – and with the fast-increasing global temperature, need for more artificial cooling is imperative. So, at this moment, it is most important to focus on reducing energy consumption in cooling mechanisms. This issue was highlighted in the recently concluded national conference on ‘Sustainable Cooling and Doubling the Rate of Energy Efficiency Improvement’.
In his keynote address, our Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shripad Naik, said, “India stands at a crucial juncture where increasing energy demand must be balanced with ambitious climate goals. As the world’s third-largest energy consumer, our commitment to doubling energy efficiency and advancing sustainable cooling is vital for economic growth and climate action. Under India’s leadership, the G20 and COP28 reinforced the urgency of accelerating energy efficiency globally.”
Then what is the current challenge? It is to optimize energy demand from various sectors, including the HVAC-R sector, for doubling the rate of energy savings improvement by 2030.
While the policies and technologies to achieve the doubling goal are well-recognized and available, greater clarity is needed through stakeholder consultations on measuring energy intensity improvement, attributing energy savings impact, and translating global commitments into actionable steps. There is a pressing need to address rising cooling demand and ensure access to energy-efficient, sustainable cooling solutions.
The national conference brought together key stakeholders from the government, national and international agencies, multilateral organizations, civil society, industry associations, financial institutions, and consumers.
Knowledge partners included global organizations such as the IEA, Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All), CLASP, and the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), along with leading Indian think tanks like The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the Council for Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), and the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE). The conference featured thematic sessions covering Buildings, Appliances, Industry, Transport, Investment, and Sustainable Cooling.
It’s nice to note that the two-day conference has served as a significant step toward advancing discussions, fostering collaboration, and driving actionable solutions in this domain.
Pravita Iyer
Publisher & Director
