Expanding modern cooling services with energy efficiency (SDG7.3)

The report argues that energy efficiency is a critical catalyst for expanding cooling services to low-income households. While basic electricity access (SDG7.1) is often insufficient for energy-intensive appliances, the adoption of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) could make 1.07 billion more appliances compatible with available electricity services by 2030. Specifically, MEPS could make an additional 133 million refrigerator-freezers and 15 million air conditioners viable for households at medium and low risk in high-impact countries. While fans are already widely compatible, stringent MEPS are needed to reduce their overall energy demand and free up household resources.

• Basic electricity access as defined by SDG7.1 is generally insufficient for cooling; according to the Multi-Tier Framework, Tier 2 services are needed for fans, while Tier 4 services are required for refrigerators and freezers.
• The implementation of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) could significantly increase the number of cooling appliances compatible with the electricity services of households, adding over 1 billion compatible units compared to business-as-usual (BAU) scenarios, including a 40% increase for refrigerator-freezers and a 16% increase for air conditioners.
• In 54 high-impact countries, a market shift to efficient refrigerator-freezers could extend the viability of these appliances to nearly 75 million additional poor households across 40 countries, as BAU units are largely incompatible with the low electricity consumption of the poorest households, except in China.
• Air conditioning (AC) remains more restricted than refrigeration due to higher energy intensity; by 2030, BAU efficiency would make AC viable for only 14% of households at low and medium risk in high-impact countries, though MEPS could add 15 million viable units.
• While fans are already compatible with the electricity supply of almost all at-risk households in high-impact countries, they often constitute the majority of household electricity use, making stringent MEPS essential to reduce energy demand and free up disposable income.

APA

Sustainable Energy for All (n.d.). Expanding modern cooling services with energy efficiency (SDG7.3). https://www.seforall.org/data-stories/chilling-prospects-2022-special/expanding-modern-cooling-services

Chicago

Sustainable Energy for All. Expanding modern cooling services with energy efficiency (SDG7.3). n.d. https://www.seforall.org/data-stories/chilling-prospects-2022-special/expanding-modern-cooling-services.

Wikipedia

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

BibTeX

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