Advancing green air conditioning solutions worldwide
The project promotes climate-friendly air conditioning by supporting green technologies and responsible supply chains in Bangladesh and Kenya.
Green cooling, natural refrigerants, green AC.
Context
Rising populations, growing wealth, urbanisation, and increasing global temperatures worldwide drive rapid growth in demand for room air conditioning (AC). Annual sales of AC units are set to nearly triple by 2050, rising from around 2 billion to 5.5 billion units worldwide. Most units still use climate-damaging refrigerants like hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), while low energy efficiency raises greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Although manufacturers can produce ACs with natural refrigerants such as propane, these models face delays in market entry and expansion. These challenges hinder significant reductions in emissions and energy use globally.
Objective
Manufacturers and distributors have increased the availability of energy-efficient, climate- and environmentally friendly air conditioning units based on propane.
Approach
The project implements three targeted measures by:
• Promoting the introduction and wider use of energy-efficient, climate- and environmentally friendly room ACs in Bangladesh, Kenya, and pilot countries; while addressing end-of-life management and expanding the skills of public and private stakeholders;
• Developing climate-friendly supply chains for imported ACs in Kenya and locally manufactured units in Bangladesh;
• Improving international and national policy conditions as well as facilitating experience sharing to enable replication in other countries, contributing to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement and the Kigali Amendment.
Last update: October 2025
