Climate-friendly and energy-efficient cooling in South-East Asia

Context

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an organisation representing ten states in the region. Rising prosperity and steady population growth are leading to substantial increases in demand for electricity. Cooling technology already accounts for about half of energy consumption. Moreover, demand for cooling and air conditioning is constantly rising because of climate change.

The ASEAN Member States lack important prerequisites that would enable cooling-intensive businesses, for instance in the food and beverage industry, to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. These include regional strategies, technical expertise within companies, national regulations and schemes promoting energy efficiency.

Objective

The political, regulatory and entrepreneurial conditions in the ASEAN Member States have improved: as a result, sectors with high cooling demand are able to enhance their energy efficiency and curb their greenhouse gas emissions.

Approach

Together with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), the project is devising regional plans to expand the use of climate-friendly and energy-efficient cooling in various industries. In addition, the project is introducing recommendations from the plans in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. These include new or revised regulations and standards for cooling systems and refrigerants.

The project is also working with the private sector to ensure that these energy efficiency measures are directly implemented in the cooling sector. As part of this, it offers training courses for experts and managers – especially women – to raise their level of technical expertise.

Last update: December 2024