Showing 696 results
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Model Regulation Guidelines on Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Air Conditioners
The Model Regulation Guidelines on Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Air Conditioners serve as a voluntary framework for governments, especially in developing and emerging economies, seeking to introduce or update regulations that require new room air conditioners to be energy-efficient, utilize low-GWP refrigerants, and prohibit the import of used units. It applies to residential and light commercial products, offering a practical bridge between access to cooling and mitigation of energy and climate impacts, as rising demand for cooling is expected to nearly double in developing regions by 2030. Developed through broad expert consultation, the guidance combines MEPS and refrigerant standards to support informed policy design aligned with Kigali Amendment goals and international best practices.
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Nature-based solutions in action: lessons from the frontline. Harnessing nature to address the triple emergency of poverty, climate change and biodiversity loss
The report showcases 13 global case studies where nature-based solutions (NbS) help address climate, biodiversity, and development challenges. While not passive cooling–specific, NbS such as watershed restoration, agroecology, and flood management demonstrate landscape-scale cooling co-benefits through shading, evapotranspiration, and microclimate regulation. It emphasizes success factors like integrated approaches, long-term planning, and community participation.
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Net Zero Appliances NDC Toolkit
The Net Zero Appliances NDC Toolkit supports governments in integrating ambitious appliance energy efficiency targets into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Since appliances and equipment account for nearly 40% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions, the toolkit highlights the critical role of efficiency policies in achieving climate goals. It outlines pathways for adopting targets across ten major appliance categories, including air conditioners, fans, refrigerators, lighting, televisions, water and space heating equipment, electric cooking appliances, electric motors, and solar irrigation, showing how efficiency measures deliver climate, economic, and social benefits aligned with national priorities.
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Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector
This report lays out what would need to happen across the global energy sector to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5 °C. It includes more than 400 milestones in energy supply, demand, infrastructure, technology deployment, and investment. It covers policy, behavioural changes, technology shifts, and regulatory measures needed from now through multiple decades to 2050. It’s a key evidence base for governments planning long-term strategies, including how cooling, refrigeration, and heat pump technologies should evolve.
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Passivhaus primer: Designer’s guide A guide for the design team and local authorities
Introduces Passivhaus concepts emphasizing passive design elements such as optimal building orientation, form, insulation (u-values), minimizing thermal bridges, airtightness, glazing, and natural ventilation—key strategies for reducing cooling loads and enhancing passive thermal comfort.
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Pathways to Prevent Environmental Dumping of Low-efficiency Room Air Conditioners with Obsolete Refrigerants in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean
Three studies investigated the extent of environmental dumping of new but low-efficiency room air conditioners with obsolete refrigerants into Global South markets. Low-efficiency cooling appliances not only waste energy but often rely on high-global warming potential refrigerants which are targeted for phase-down and phase-out under the Montreal Protocol. As a result, climate change worsens, cooling gaps may widen, and gender inequalities may increase.
The studies found that environmental dumping of obsolete appliances is widespread across all three focus regions—Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean—with 40% of new room ACs for sale falling into this category. These low-efficiency technologies are both imported and locally manufactured by multinational and domestic companies. Such appliances raise consumer costs, undermine the affordability of essential cooling, and widen access gaps. Together, the three studies provide a strong evidence base to inform solutions and drive action at national, regional, and global levels to curb environmental dumping and accelerate the transition to next-generation, climate-friendly cooling technologies.
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Piloting Nature-based Solutions for Urban Cooling: Overview
Summarizes lessons from piloting nature-based urban cooling solutions, focusing on integrating cooling into urban spatial planning, regulatory frameworks, private sector involvement, and public engagement. Highlights UHI risks due to poor urban design.
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Piloting Nature-based Urban Cooling Solutions for Urban Regeneration and New Town Development in Guangzhou, China | Building a Cooler Guangzhou
Showcases pilot projects in old and new urban areas of Guangzhou testing various nature-based passive cooling options. Provides insights into integrating these solutions into urban spatial planning for regeneration and new town development.
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Practical Guidelines for Shipping Off-Grid Appliances
The Practical Guidelines for Shipping Off-Grid Appliances provide step-by-step guidance on preparing off-grid products for shipment, including a cost analysis, an overview of import and export regulations, and practical instructions. Covering small household appliances (e.g., TVs and fans), refrigerators, and solar water pumps, the guide helps manufacturers, distributors, and logistics providers reduce costs, avoid regulatory delays, and improve supply-chain efficiency. By outlining best practices, it supports greater market access for high-quality appliances and strengthens the off-grid energy sector.
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Primer for Cool Cities: Reducing Excessive Urban Heat – With a Focus on Passive Measures
Focuses on passive urban cooling solutions like solar reflective surfaces, green roofs, urban forestry, and natural ventilation to reduce urban heat and improve thermal comfort. Highlights the importance of integrating these in building codes, urban planning, and public awareness, while addressing barriers and financing options to scale adoption.