Breadcrumbs

History

India has by far the largest number of population-weighted Cooling Demand Days (CDD) in the world (almost 30% of the world). At the same time, penetration of cooling devices is extremely low (Approx. 6% of Indian households having an air conditioner). Thus, India's cooling demand is projected to grow exponentially in the years to come. This expansion in space and mobile air conditioning could strain the country's electricity infrastructure, and entail huge HFC emissions. It is thus imperative that India's cooling demand be controlled, met in the most energy-efficient way possible, and be based on low-GWP (as compared to HFCs) refrigerants. Cognizant of the challenges posed by the growing cooling demand; the Government of India has developed the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) with headline goals of:

  • Reduction in cooling demand of 20-25% by 2037-38
  • Reduction in cooling energy demand of 25-40% by 2037-38
  • Reduction in refrigerant demand by 25%-30% by 2037-38

Presenting ambitious but achievable overarching objectives, ICAP laid down the prioritization and political visibility; and an agenda for different sectoral policies, regulations & funding decisions. The targets to achieve the stated goals of ICAP required more detailed deliberations and inter-ministerial coordination. There was thus a need to support the implementation of ICAP, by providing:

  • Further policy advice and analysis on the detailed sectoral actions required
  • Facilitating multi-stakeholder exchange between government, industry and consumers
  • Tracking performance and incentivizing the implementation
  • Ensuring the full mainstreaming of cooling policy across different line ministries

Taking forward, Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) agreed to support the facilitation of the implementation of ICAP through civil society organization (TERI, AEEE & CEEW) engagements. This program was in the context of CIFF's broader global engagements on sustainable cooling and HFC phase-down under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

 

Mission and Goals

 

Our Mission

Turning India's growing cooling needs into a business advantage and national sustainable agenda for mitigating the climate change and providing access to thermal comfort for all, by facilitating the implementation of India Cooling Action Plan, through accelerated adoption of building codes, best practices in the cold chain & transport sector, building capacities of service technicians for better livelihood, and up-scaling affordable energy-efficient & low GWP technologies to promote sustainable cooling in India.

 

Our Goals

SHEETAL aims to facilitate the implementation of India Cooling Action Plan, ensuring that:

  • India enhances access to cost-effective cooling in order to reap socio-economic benefits and improve welfare, in particular to low-income and vulnerable population segments, including children, and the rural sector.
  • India achieves a significant reduction in energy demand for cooling relative to a business as usual scenario, by strengthening regulations, business models and consumer awareness and implementing energy-efficient technologies.
  • India achieves a significant reduction in cooling demand, through better passive designs, building codes, behavioral change, and regulatory interventions and the development of next-generation cooling technologies.
  • Based on robust research and evidence of the costs and benefits, India is informed to move on HFC phase-down pathways under the Kigali Amendment.