India’s Cooling Access and Energy Efficiency Debate

The Government of India proposed that all new air conditioning systems operate within a temperature range of 20°C to 28°C, with 24°C as the default. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) estimates this could save 20 billion units of electricity annually and reduce emissions by 16 million tonnes. While energy conservation is vital, more urgent issues surround equitable access to cooling, especially in developing countries like India.

Current Cooling Access in India

Cooling access in India is extremely limited. Only 13% of urban and 1% of rural households owned air conditioners in 2021. The national average is about 5%, with ownership heavily skewed towards the urban wealthy. The richest 10% hold 72% of all ACs. This shows a stark inequality in cooling access across income groups and regions.

Global Cooling Divide

Developed countries enjoy near universal cooling access. In 2020, 90% of U.S. and Japanese households had ACs. In contrast, only 6% of Sub-Saharan African homes had ACs. Per capita electricity use for cooling in the U.S. is 7 gigajoules, over 28 times higher than in India. This divide reflects disparities in infrastructure and economic development.

Cooling as a Climate Adaptation Need

Cooling is no longer a luxury but a necessity to adapt to rising global temperatures. The World Health Organization estimates nearly 489,000 heat-related deaths globally between 2000 and 2019, with India accounting for over 20,000. Heat stress threatens public health, especially where protective infrastructure is weak or absent.

Challenges in Health and Public Infrastructure

Many health facilities in low-income countries lack reliable electricity needed for cooling-dependent services. In South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, 12-15% of health centres have no electricity. Without stable power, essential services like neonatal care and vaccine storage become unsafe during heatwaves.

Labour Vulnerability to Heat

In India, 80% of workers are in outdoor, heat-exposed jobs such as agriculture and construction. Heat Action Plans exist in some states, including early warnings and shelters. However, these plans suffer from underfunding and weak enforcement, limiting their effectiveness in protecting workers.

Energy Efficiency vs Access Equity

Focusing solely on reducing emissions from existing AC users risks ignoring the needs of millions without cooling. Energy-saving policies must balance efficiency with efforts to expand affordable cooling access. Treating cooling as a development right is essential for climate justice and public health.

Need for Public Investment and Policy Integration

Closing the cooling access gap requires large investments in public infrastructure and financial support, especially for low-income populations. Integrating heat resilience into development plans through stronger labour laws and social safety nets can reduce heat-related risks and protect livelihoods.

International Disparities and Climate Justice

While the global North frames cooling as an adaptation necessity, the South is often seen as a mitigation challenge. This double standard ignores the urgent need for equitable cooling access in hotter, poorer regions. Addressing this requires global cooperation and policy realignment towards fairness.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically analyse the challenges and opportunities in achieving energy-efficient cooling in developing countries like India.
2. Explain the impact of heatwaves on public health infrastructure and labour productivity in South Asia with suitable examples.
3. What are the key components of effective Heat Action Plans? How can these plans be strengthened to protect vulnerable populations?
4. Comment on the global cooling divide and its implications for climate justice and sustainable development goals.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically analyse the challenges and opportunities in achieving energy-efficient cooling in developing countries like India.

1. Limited access to air conditioning – only ~5% national ownership, concentrated among urban rich.
2. Energy efficiency measures can reduce emissions but may not address cooling access inequities.
3. Challenges include unreliable electricity, high costs, and inadequate infrastructure in rural/low-income areas.
4. Opportunities lie in government regulations (e.g., GoI’s 20-28°C AC temperature mandate) and BEE’s energy-saving estimates.
5. Balancing energy savings with universal access is essential to avoid marginalizing vulnerable populations.
6. Potential for innovation in affordable, efficient cooling technologies and public cooling infrastructure development.

2. Explain the impact of heatwaves on public health infrastructure and labour productivity in South Asia with suitable examples.

1. Heatwaves cause increased mortality and morbidity; India recorded 20,000+ heat-related deaths (2000-2019).
2. Many health facilities lack reliable electricity for cooling, compromising neonatal care, vaccine storage, emergency services.
3. In South Asia, 12% of health centres have no electricity, limiting heat resilience.
4. Outdoor workers (~80% of Indian labour force) face heat stress, reducing productivity and increasing health risks.
5. Examples – Heat Action Plans in state of Indias attempt early warnings and shelters but face underfunding and weak enforcement.
6. Heat stress leads to spikes in cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal conditions during extreme heat events.

3. What are the key components of effective Heat Action Plans? How can these plans be strengthened to protect vulnerable populations?

1. Early warning systems to alert populations about impending heatwaves.
2. Information dissemination and public awareness campaigns on heat risks and preventive measures.
3. Provision of heat shelters and cooling centers for vulnerable groups.
4. Coordination among government agencies, health services, and community organizations.
5. Strengthening legal frameworks and securing adequate funding to ensure implementation.
6. Integrating labour protections and social safety nets to support outdoor workers and marginalized populations.

4. Comment on the global cooling divide and its implications for climate justice and sustainable development goals.

1. Developed countries have near-universal AC access (e.g., 90% in U.S. and Japan), while low-income regions like Sub-Saharan Africa have ~6% ownership.
2. Per capita cooling energy use drastically higher in developed nations, reflecting infrastructure and economic disparities.
3. This divide marks inequities in adaptation capacity amid rising global temperatures.
4. Global North frames cooling as adaptation; Global South often seen as mitigation challenge, revealing policy hypocrisy.
5. Inequitable cooling access undermines health, labour productivity, and climate resilience in poorer countries.
6. Addressing the divide is essential for climate justice and achieving SDGs related to health, energy access, and poverty reduction.