Strengthen building energy codes to reduce cooling loads and encourage efficient cooling systems by design. 

Building codes can require that new buildings meet a maximum energy-use intensity for cooling or incorporate specific efficiency measures, such as high insulation, reflective roofing, or efficient heating, ventilation and AC equipment.

For large commercial buildings, standards like ASHRAE or ISO efficiency benchmarks for chillers and HVAC systems can be mandated. Ensuring proper sizing of cooling equipment (avoiding oversizing) and requiring efficient control systems (thermostats and smart sensors) can be enforced through codes or certifications (e.g. green building ratings). Integrated design, such as efficient district cooling systems in urban developments, can also be promoted via planning guidelines.

By embedding efficiency at the building and urban scale, policymakers lock in lower cooling energy needs for decades.
 

Introduce mandatory energy efficiency labelling for cooling appliances to guide consumers to buy energy-saving products. 

Energy labels (using stars, grades, or colour codes) communicate the energy efficiency rating of an appliance in a simple format. When combined with public awareness campaigns, labelling can shift demand towards 5-star ACs or A-rated refrigerators, motivating manufacturers to improve products. Clear labels also enable sustainable procurement by institutional consumers (government agencies or businesses) to create market demand for top-rated models. 

Public awareness initiatives can extend to promoting simple practices (like setting AC thermostats at moderate temperatures and cleaning regularly filters), which enhance efficiency in use.

Implement financial and economic incentive programmes to make efficient cooling equipment more affordable and attractive. 

Incentive options include rebates or tax credits for purchasing high-efficiency air conditioners or refrigeration units, on-bill financing schemes or low-interest loans for energy service companies. Smart subsidy programmes are key to overcoming the affordability gap, especially in developing countries. Bulk procurement programmes can aggregate demand and lower prices for super-efficient ACs, while utility rebate programmes can accelerate replacement of old units. The co-benefits include reduced peak load and avoided power capacity investments, which can justify the public expenditure.

Implementation can work alongside extended producer responsibility schemes that allow return and properly dispose of inefficient, older appliances and refrigerant substances. 

Support the research and development as well as dissemination of next-generation cooling technologies. 

This includes funding research, providing rewards for ultra-efficient cooling innovations, pilot projects for new technologies, and alternative cooling solutions.

Governments can lead by example, deploying innovative cooling solutions in public facilities to demonstrate viability. Partnering with international initiatives can bring technical and financial resources. Over time, as cutting-edge technologies scale up, their costs fall, creating a virtuous cycle where ambitious efficiency targets become easier to meet. Innovation support thus complements regulations by ensuring a pipeline of ever-better cooling options in the market.

Establish and regularly tighten MEPS for cooling appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, fans, and chillers. 

MEPS set the floor for energy performance, prohibiting market entry for devices that do not meet a certain threshold. MEPS influence not only equipment design but also regulate operating efficiency. Best-practice MEPS are updated every few years to reflect technological advances and push manufacturers toward continual improvement. 

Combined with refrigerant global warming potential limits and labelling, MEPS are a proven regulatory measure, used widely to drive improvements in energy efficiency of cooling.