ACR Journal

April | May 2020 SUSTAINABLE COOLING 32 Toby Peters, Professor of Cold Economy at the University of Birmingham, on why experts from around the globe have joined forces to create a new clean cold research hub, the Centre for Sustainable Cooling. How much cooling does the world need? Volume 6 No.3 Between now and 2050, it is estimated that upwards of 13 pieces of cooling equipment (air conditioning and refrigeration) will be deployed every second. Despite this massive increase (tripling) in the cooling provision, access to cooling for all who need it will still not be a reality, and the poor in many hot countries will feel the impact. Access to cooling is not a luxury. It is about fresh, nutritious food, safe medicines and protection from heat for populations in a warming world. It is vital for economic productivity, as well as wellbeing. According to the latest Sustainable Energy for All Chilling Prospects report published last year, more than 1bn people do not have access to cooling and suƒer the consequences. Cooling is an issue of equity that in a warming world requires fast action to protect the most vulnerable. However, how we meet this challenge and provide access to cooling for the benefit of all who need it will have significant ramifications for our climate; without intervention, we could see the energy demand for cooling increase more than five times by 2050. Last year UN Secretary General, António Guterres, called on all countries to develop National Cooling Action Plans (NCAPs) to deliver eŒcient and sustainable cooling and bring essential lifepreserving services like vaccines and safe food to all people. But an underestimation of the scale of Access to cooling is not a luxury in a warming world