Sustainable Cooling Initiatives for Climate Resilience and Global Collaboration

Sustainable Cooling Initiatives for Climate Resilience and Global Collaboration

Sub: Env

Sec: Int conventions

Why in News

Global warming has intensified the demand for sustainable cooling solutions, which are vital for vulnerable populations worldwide. On September 21, 2024, the Quad nations (Australia, India, Japan, and the United States) issued the Wilmington Declaration, emphasizing a commitment to high-efficiency cooling systems. This aligns with the India-U.S. roadmap for resilient clean energy supply chains. The declaration reinforces the global urgency for affordable, energy-efficient cooling systems to mitigate the climate crisis, highlighting India’s significant role in advancing clean cooling technologies.

The Wilmington Declaration: A Global Commitment to Sustainable Cooling

The Wilmington Declaration emphasizes deploying high-efficiency cooling systems to aid climate-vulnerable regions in the Indo-Pacific.

Quad nations committed to climate-friendly cooling solutions that align with the Kigali Amendment’s aim to phase down HFCs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Quad’s focus on sustainable cooling includes significant investment by India in solar and cooling infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific.

More About the Wilmington Declaration:

The declaration emphasized a shared commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, directly addressing concerns about actions that disrupt the region’s status quo. This was partly in response to rising tensions and aggressive activities from certain regional actors​

Quad members pledged to collaborate on critical technologies, including AI, quantum computing, and 5G, aiming to secure democratic values and economic growth. This technological partnership aims to counterbalance influences from countries with contrasting political systems​

A notable new initiative is the Quad Cancer Moonshot, which focuses on cancer prevention and treatment in the Indo-Pacific, beginning with cervical cancer. Member nations have committed resources, including medical equipment and financial support, to address health disparities in the region​

The declaration highlighted enhanced maritime security measures, including joint military exercises and intelligence sharing. This aims to strengthen defences against maritime threats and ensure open and secure sea lanes crucial for international trade​

The Quad leaders announced increased efforts in disaster preparedness and humanitarian assistance. This includes funding for immediate disaster response resources, such as relief supplies positioned in key areas across the Indo-Pacific to assist in natural disasters​.

Global Frameworks on Cooling and Emissions:

The Montreal Protocol, and its 2016 Kigali Amendment, set precedents for global action on cooling-related emissions. The Kigali Amendment targets the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases in cooling devices.

Unchecked, HFCs could contribute to 0.52°C of global warming by 2100. Aligning HFC reduction with energy efficiency improvements could deliver about two-thirds of cooling-related greenhouse gas reductions, cutting electricity use and lowering air pollution.

At COP28 in Dubai, 63 countries committed to a 68% reduction in cooling-related emissions by 2050. The Global Cooling Pledge aims to extend cooling access to 3.5 billion people and potentially save $17 trillion in energy costs by mid-century.

To build on COP28, COP29 should aim to broaden participation in the Global Cooling Pledge, focusing on partnerships across sectors to enhance commitments and deliver sustainable cooling solutions worldwide.

India’s Approach to Cooling Solutions:

With parts of India recording temperatures above 50°C in 2024, cooling is critical for public health, food preservation, and industrial processes.

India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP): India’s ICAP aims for a 20%-25% reduction in cooling demand and 25%-40% energy savings, with a shift to low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. India ratified the Kigali Amendment in 2021, committing to an 85% reduction in HFC use by 2047.

National Cooling Mission: India needs a mission-mode approach with focused leadership and collaboration across ministries to achieve sustainable cooling. This includes establishing inter-ministerial working groups, budgeting, and capacity-building initiatives to ensure long-term success.