Cooling for sustainable development

Abstract

The unprecedented rise in cooling demand globally is a critical blind spot in sustainability debates. We examine cooling as a system comprised of active and passive measures, with key social and technical components, and explain its link to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We propose an analytical and solution-oriented framework to identify and shape interventions towards sustainable cooling. The framework comprehends demand drivers; cradle-to-cradle stages; and system change levers. By intersecting cooling stages and levers, we discuss four specific, exemplary interventions to deliver sustainable cooling. We propose an agenda for research and practice to transition towards sustainable cooling for all.

Health risks of extreme heat

“…Importantly, these low energy solutions help reduce health risks without worsening climate change. In contrast, energy intensive air conditioning, likely to be the world’s primary heat reduction strategy, exacerbates global warming and drives further extreme heat events,5 while remaining unaffordable for the estimated two to five billion people who will be exposed to heat stress by 2050 17…”

“…3 The implications are serious: extreme heat has a substantial impact on all 17 UN sustainable development goals-including zero hunger, good health and wellbeing for all, climate action, and reduced inequalities 4 -directly affecting both people and the planet. 5…”

“…Clear evidence links the intensity and frequency of heat extremes to human induced global warming, which also increases the probability of compound events such as concurrent heatwaves and droughts 3. The implications are serious: extreme heat has a substantial impact on all 17 UN sustainable development goals—including zero hunger, good health and wellbeing for all, climate action, and reduced inequalities4—directly affecting both people and the planet 5…”

Conversion and storage of solar energy for cooling

“…The demand for cooling, especially space cooling, will increase rapidly due to the increasing frequency, duration and intensity of extreme heatwaves as a result of climate change in combination with steadily improved life standards. [1][2][3][4] Recent years have witnessed the great development of electricity-driven air compression-based cooling technologies. However, globally, there are over 700 million people living in impoverished regions who still do not have access to electricity and thus are unable to enjoy the modern era cooling technologies.…”

The role of residential air circulation and cooling demand for electrification planning: Implications of climate change in sub-Saharan Africa

“…On the other hand, a steeply growing ACC demand has major implications for energy systems, both on the demand and supply sides Energy Economics 99 (2021) 105307 (Ciscar and Dowling, 2014;Khosla et al, 2020), and for climate change itself. Currently, cooling energy already accounts for nearly 20% of the total electricity used globally in buildings (IEA, 2018).…”