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Cooling demand could triple emissions by 2050 as heat waves intensify

Refrigeration and air conditioning already account for about 7.0% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with emissions projected to rise further to 2030 and 2050.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Energy Transition

Air conditioning is increasingly being framed as critical infrastructure as intensifying heat waves pose deadly risks worldwide, but a separate climate impact remains significant. OilPrice highlights that extreme heat is described as the most deadly form of extreme weather, citing the Economist and a Lancet study that links high temperatures to hundreds of thousands of deaths each year during 2000 to 2019.

The piece says air conditioning can prevent some heat related deaths, estimating it helps avert about 190,000 deaths annually. At the same time, it contributes to global warming because refrigeration and air conditioning are major sources of greenhouse gases.

OilPrice reports that refrigeration and air conditioning account for roughly 7.0% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It also notes those emissions are expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, potentially complicating broader efforts to cut emissions and manage climate change.

The article also includes a statement from Mat Santamouris, Professor of High Performance Architecture at UNSW Sydney, emphasizing that air conditioning saves lives and will remain essential during periods of extreme heat.

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