At the Green Silk Road Thematic Forum of the Chinese government’s Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on April 25, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) launched a BRI Green Cooling Initiative. Energy Foundation China, as a co-sponsor, witnessed this important moment.

While bringing health and comfort to human beings, air conditioners and other cooling equipment have also raised the temperature of the earth. Refrigerants such as HCFCs and HFCs have a very strong greenhouse effect, and cooling equipment consumes a lot of electricity when in use, thus indirectly generating a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions. A significant increase in the energy efficiency of cooling products and equipment, plus green transformation of refrigerants will avoid a temperature rise of 0.5–1°C by the end of this century, experts estimate.

Green growth and efficiency improvements in the cooling industry will also help countries achieve their energy efficiency and sustainable development goals, as well as fulfilling their international promises. Against this backdrop, China’s NDRC joined hands with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), and Energy Foundation China to launch the BRI Green and Efficient Cooling Initiative.

The initiative aims to promote sustained energy efficiency improvement and green development in the cooling and air conditioning industry and contribute to the international and national energy efficiency goals of fighting climate change through various efforts. They include policy dialogue and information exchange platforms, capacity building, exchange and cooperation on energy efficiency policies and standards, innovation in green cooling business models, and technology exchange.

Cooling industry associations from China, the United States, Japan, Brazil, Europe, and other countries and regions, as well as the China National Institute of Standardization and China’s leading air conditioning manufacturers have joined the initiative.

“China is the world’s largest manufacturer and consumer of air conditioners. The success of its cooling policies and regulations will have a huge impact not only on the country itself, but also on the global transition to more efficient, climate-friendly cooling equipment,” said Zou Ji, President of Energy Foundation China. “We hope that the BRI Green Cooling Initiative will further promote cooperation between China and the countries along the ‘Belt and Road’ in the effort to propel the green development of the cooling industry. Energy Foundation China will strongly support the initiative through coordinating international cooperation mechanisms, building capacity, and promoting technology exchange and cooperation. ”