Overcoming the incumbency and barriers to sustainable cooling

Abstract

This article examines cooling in the built environment, an area of rapidly rising energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, the status quo of cooling is assessed and proposals are made for how to advance towards sustainable cooling through five levers of change: social interactions, technology innovations, business models, governance and infrastructure design. Achieving sustainable cooling requires navigating the opportunities and barriers presented by the incumbent technology that currently dominates the way in which cooling is provided-the vapour-compression refrigerant technology (or airconditioners). Air-conditioners remain the go-to solution for growing cooling demand, with other alternatives often overlooked. This incumbent technology has contributed to five barriers hindering the transition to sustainable cooling: (1) building policies based exclusively on energy efficiency; (2) a focus on temperature rather than other thermal comfort variables; (3) building-centric design of cooling systems instead of occupantcentric design; (4) businesses guided by product-only sales; and (5) lack of innovation beyond the standard operational phase of the incumbent technology. Opportunities and priority actions are identified for policymakers, cooling professionals, technicians and citizens to promote a transition towards sustainable cooling.

From 1.5ºC to 2.0ºC: the global increase in cooling degree days

“…Further, the results on relative changes indicate that countries that will experience the most drastic increases in CDDs are traditionally prepared for heating, not cooling. These countries will require rapid adaptation to make their populations and built environment more heat resilient, with broad cooling access through sustainable supply chains 22,23 .…”

Energy Efficiency Issues in Buildings: Analysis of World Practice

“…Recent studies and publications. The study and generalization of foreign experience in the field of energy efficiency in the construction industry show that the reduction of energy consumption for engineering systems of buildings for various purposes [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] is considered by the governments of many countries as the most important national economic issue and new legislative and regulatory documents, long-term programs are being developed, research and design projects are being carried out. work, programs of full or partial transition to renewable energy sources in the construction industry are being discussed.…”