The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the World Bank, Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEFCC), and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), successfully hosted the ‘Alleviating Heat stress by Enhancing production of Affordable cooling Devices (AHEAD)’ consultation workshop at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. This groundbreaking event, attended by over 100 industry and other stakeholders, marks a pivotal stride towards fortifying India against intensifying heat waves through sustainable and affordable cooling solutions. This marks the first industry-led workshop acknowledging cooling as a crucial climate adaptation issue.
The workshop underscored the urgent need for cost-effective, domestically-led technologies to ensure affordability for the vast Indian population requiring cooling solutions. It also emphasized India’s commitment to climate mitigation, aspiring to become a global leader in sustainable and affordable cooling technologies. Discussions centered on manufacturing space cooling, cold chain technologies, and district cooling systems, highlighting their role in public welfare, economic growth through domestic manufacturing, and the reduction of carbon emissions.
The escalating global warming, coupled with India’s growing economy and increased purchasing power, is anticipated to amplify overall cooling demand tenfold in the next two decades. Cooling interventions present an opportunity to save 4.5% of GDP, approximately 329 billion USD that could be at risk by 2030 due to heat waves. The workshop recognized the need to expand the cold chain for agricultural produce, enhance space cooling solutions to increase labor productivity, and reduce spoilage of temperature-sensitive medicines.
Currently, India spends nearly a billion USD in 2022-23 on importing cooling device components. Considering India’s poised growth, the nation’s interest lies in local production and potentially evolving into a global hub for cooling device manufacturing.
The workshop focused on overcoming domestic manufacturing challenges and exploring innovative policy and financing strategies. The objective is to meet the growing demand for cooling technology and position India as a Global Manufacturing Hub. Adapting global best practices can aid India in manufacturing high-quality and performing cooling devices, thereby catalyzing investments and generating green jobs in the cooling sector.
Secretary, DPIIT, R.K. Singh highlighted the cross-cutting nature of cooling and pledged to lead efforts to implement tangible programs in collaboration with the World Bank Group and other stakeholders.
Country Director for India, World Bank, Auguste Tano Kouame, emphasized the significance of cooling as both an adaptation challenge for India’s large population and a crucial element for global climate mitigation. The growing cooling sector in India presents a USD 1.6 Trillion investment opportunity, with an expanded domestic manufacturing base playing a key role in harnessing this potential.
In Session 1, industry leaders, policymakers, and academics discussed space cooling, focusing on critical components such as compressors for ACs, permanent magnets, and motor drivers for BLDC fans. Session 2 delved into cold chain technologies, highlighting its role in ensuring food and health security, as well as the challenges impacting the adoption of newer and sustainable technologies.
DG, BEE, Shri Abhay Bakre, emphasized the need to replace older Air Conditioners with modern and efficient systems to substantially reduce CO2 emissions by 2030-31. He also highlighted the promotion of cold chain technologies and the concept of District Cooling Systems.
Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Shri Sanjiv expressed gratitude to industry leaders for insights that will guide efforts to encourage domestic manufacturing of sustainable cooling devices. The program’s name, “AHEAD,” aptly reflects the collective endeavor to position India as a global powerhouse for manufacturing sustainable and affordable cooling devices.
This consultation signifies a critical moment in India’s pursuit of an eco-friendly and self-sufficient cooling technology sector, steering towards a sustainable future.
