ACs cool homes but heat the planet – at what cost?
As global temperatures climb, keeping homes and buildings cool is emerging as one of the biggest challenges for the energy sector. The demand for air conditioning has grown rapidly.
According to the International Energy Agency, more than 2.4 billion air conditioners are in use worldwide this year. This number is expected to increase to 5.6 billion by 2050. China and India are the two biggest markets driving most of the world's demand.AC environmental impact, cooling emissions, climate cost of AC, sustainable cooling, energy efficiency
According to another IEA report, by 2030, cooling systems are expected to use nearly 700 terawatt-hours (TWh) more electricity than they do today. That would make up around 10 per cent of the world's rising electricity demand, nearly as much as the demand from electric vehicles, which will account for 13 per cent.