Integrating climate, air, and health goals: the impact of efficient cooling policies in India

Air conditioning in buildings is a significant contributor to electricity demand in developing countries and is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. This increase will lead to higher greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, air pollution, and related impacts. In India, the energy use due to room air conditioners (RACs) is estimated to cause 18%, 9%, and 8% of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions, respectively. These emissions contribute to 5% of power sector PM_2.5 concentrations in India and were attributable to 5748 air pollution-related deaths in 2017. If no technological improvements are made, India’s RAC energy demand is expected to increase from 56 Gigawatt (GW) in 2017 to 289 GW in 2046, attributable to 39,072 deaths annually by 2046. However, implementing the Indian Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) could reduce RAC demand and associated pollution by 60%. Stricter standards for coal-based power plants, in accordance with National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), could also reduce air pollution from RACs by 50%. An integrated approach including ICAP, NCAP, and Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) could lead to a compounded overall reduction of 84% in PM_2.5 concentrations from RACs, with 33,047 lives saved annually in 2046.