All articles tagged with #sustainable cooling
Saudi KAUST researchers unveil Nescod (No Electricity and Sustainable Cooling on Demand), a salt-based cooling system that dissolves ammonium nitrate in water to absorb heat, dropping temperatures from 25°C to 3.6°C in 20 minutes without electricity; it regenerates via solar evaporation for repeated use, offering a potential drop in cooling energy use and emissions in electricity-scarce regions if scaled.
A UNEP report highlights that adopting sustainable cooling strategies, including passive and low-energy solutions, could reduce cooling-related emissions by 64% by 2050, save trillions of dollars, and improve access for billions, amid rising global heatwaves and demand. The report advocates for policy integration, urban planning, and international cooperation through initiatives like 'Beat the Heat' to address the growing climate and health challenges associated with extreme heat.
Ice batteries are a sustainable cooling technology that freeze water overnight to provide air conditioning during the day, reducing energy costs and grid strain, with applications in hospitals, schools, data centers, and more, contributing to lower emissions and energy savings.
Sixty-three countries, including the United States, Canada, and Kenya, have pledged to significantly reduce cooling-related emissions at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. The Global Cooling Pledge aims to cut emissions from refrigeration and air conditioning by at least 68% by 2050 compared to 2022 levels. The pledge also includes targets for establishing minimum energy performance standards by 2030. The growing demand for cooling, driven by rising temperatures, population growth, and increased incomes, poses a challenge to the climate crisis. The pledge seeks to address this issue and increase access to sustainable cooling while reducing emissions. India, a major market for cooling, has not yet joined the pledge. The progress on meeting the cooling pledge will be monitored annually until 2030.