New CLASP research, “Bridging the Cooling Gap: Energy Efficiency as a Driver for Appliance Access”, finds that doubling cooling appliance efficiency in India, Indonesia, and Nigeria would make cooling more affordable, expand access to millions of people, and improve climate resilience.

Energy-efficient cooling appliances play a critical role in improving living standards, promoting economic growth, enhancing energy security, and reducing climate emissions. They are also saving consumers money as they have lower running costs. Building on recommended targets in CLASP’s Net Zero Hero analysis, doubling the efficiency of fans, refrigerators, and air conditioners in the three countries by 2030 would drive down the total costs of ownership for each appliance by close to 60% in 2050.

Other benefits include:

• $105 billion USD in annual consumer savings through reduce purchase and running costs in 2050
• Access to cooling appliances for an additional 510 million people
• More than 420,000 avoided premature heat-related deaths

Total energy consumed by these appliances would be more than halved compared to business as usual, as shown in the graph below.

National room air conditioner energy use between 2023-2050 in TWh under Net Zero Hero and Business as Usual scenarios. 

This research highlights how smart energy efficiency policies reduce costs, boost appliance ownership for people who need them, lower energy demand, and curb emissions.

Click here to read the full report.