At the United Nations Climate Summit in New York this September, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced the new Global Efficient Appliances and Equipment Partnership.

The Partnership is a public-private initiative, led by UNEP, CLASP, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Copper Association (ICA), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to accelerate the transition to more efficient appliances and equipment to reduce global energy demand, mitigate climate change, and improve access to energy. Building on the en.lighten model for accelerating the global uptake of energy-efficient lighting, the Partnership will focus on accelerating the efficiency of appliances, including lighting, air conditioners, refrigerators, electric motors, distribution transformers and information technology.

In support of the Partnership, CLASP analyzed the economic and energy savings potential from adopting more efficient appliances in Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) countries. According to CLASP’s analysis, the LAC region can save 137 TWh of electricity in 2030, if the 33 countries in the region adopt advanced energy efficiency standards for refrigerators, air conditioners and ceiling fans.

To conduct this analysis, CLASP employed the Policy Analysis Modeling System (PAMS)—an impact modeling tool designed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in collaboration with CLASP. CLASP worked with UNEP to gather data on regional appliance prices and efficiency, and estimated efficiency improvement potential from studies published by the SEAD Initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial and recent rulemaking activities in Europe, Mexico, and the United States.

CLASP and UNEP presented the findings from this analysis at the 6th Latin American and Caribbean Energy Efficiency Seminar in Nicaragua to demonstrate the tremendous energy savings potential in the region for these important products. Following the Seminar, the Dominican Republic joined the Partnership to gain access to expertise and resources to accelerate their market transition to more efficient equipment and appliances. Governments from another 15 countries in the region have expressed interest in joining.

CLASP’s findings are documented in a new report published (in Spanish) by UNEP entitled “Efficient Cooling Products in Latin America and the Caribbean.”