Reducing cooling-related electricity demand with energy efficiency (SDG7.3)

The report highlights that without proactive efficiency measures, the adoption of cooling appliances in households at risk could require over 240 TWh of annual electricity by 2030. It argues that implementing best-available technologies (BAT) and stringent building energy codes can offset this demand, potentially saving 18–35 TWh through improved building envelopes alone.

• Under a business-as-usual (BAU) efficiency scenario, the adoption of compatible cooling appliances in households at medium and low access to cooling risk in high-impact countries could result in an annual electricity demand exceeding 240 TWh by 2030.
• Domestic refrigerator-freezers are expected to be the largest driver of this demand, accounting for nearly 48 percent of the total, due to their energy intensity and compatibility compared to other appliances.
• Proactive performance standards for air conditioners and refrigerator-freezers could increase the number of compatible appliances for at-risk households by 16 percent (to nearly 1.07 billion) while almost entirely offsetting the resulting increase in electricity demand through efficiency gains.
• Energy efficiency standards for ceiling and portable fans would lead to an absolute reduction in potential annual energy demand, decreasing from 62.5 TWh to 55.7 TWh, with over 67 percent of this demand concentrated in Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, and Indonesia.
• Implementing more stringent regulations for new and existing buildings to reduce space cooling energy demand by 15–30 percent in medium and low-risk households could save an additional 18–35 TWh of electricity demand by 2030.

APA

Sustainable Energy for All (n.d.). Reducing cooling-related electricity demand with energy efficiency (SDG7.3). https://www.seforall.org/data-stories/chilling-prospects-2022-special/reducing-cooling-related-electricity-demand

Chicago

Sustainable Energy for All. Reducing cooling-related electricity demand with energy efficiency (SDG7.3). n.d. https://www.seforall.org/data-stories/chilling-prospects-2022-special/reducing-cooling-related-electricity-demand.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Sustainable Energy for All |title=Reducing cooling-related electricity demand with energy efficiency (SDG7.3) |url=https://www.seforall.org/data-stories/chilling-prospects-2022-special/reducing-cooling-related-electricity-demand |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sustainableenergyforallndreducing, author = {{Sustainable Energy for All}}, title = {{Reducing cooling-related electricity demand with energy efficiency (SDG7.3)}}, institution = {Sustainable Energy for All}, url = {https://www.seforall.org/data-stories/chilling-prospects-2022-special/reducing-cooling-related-electricity-demand}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }