Latest news with #IndiaCoolingActionPlan
Gulf Today
7 days ago
- Health
- Gulf Today
Passive cooling solutions to counter oppressive heat conditions
The impact of heat in India has been severe in recent years, with numerous heat-related deaths, widespread reports of heatstroke and school closures reported. This year, the thermometer climbed above 40°C in many places in late April, earlier than normal, according to a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) feature. 'Even if nations start bringing down the greenhouse gas emissions warming the planet, temperature extremes are here to stay for the foreseeable future,' said Balakrishna Pisupati, who leads the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) India office. 'Facing the kind of oppressive heat we have seen, people across this country will need to adapt, especially in ways that do not worsen the climate is where passive cooling solutions come in, he adds. According to the UNEP feature, passive cooling solutions range from reflective roofs to cool pavements to shade-providing tree cover. Crucially, and unlike air conditioning, these solutions do not spew out planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions nor enflame the climate crisis. India has emerged as a global champion of passive cooling, integrating these approaches into national policies and city planning, often with the support of UNEP. As UNEP states, India's cities are particularly at risk due to climate change and extreme heat, as rising temperatures are exacerbated by urban heat island effects and inequitable access to cooling. Left unchecked, this heat could expose up to 200 million people in India to lethal heatwaves in the 2030s, reduce India's GDP by 2%, cause the loss of 34 million jobs, and make it that much harder for millions of people to escape poverty. India's cities cannot just air-condition a way out of this extreme heat crisis. Best practices from India and around the world show that by taking a whole-systems approach to urban cooling, Indian cities can solve their cooling challenge and increase their heat resilience. Urban cooling and cold chain are two critically under-supported areas under the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP). Two projects, delivered under the framework of the UNEP Cool Coalition, will support the Government of India to lead a transition to sustainable, accessible and climate-friendly cooling. One such project is in the Indian capital. Delhi is one of the hottest major cities, with temperatures reportedly feeling like 50°C with humidity. To help give commuters relief from the heat, the UNEP-led Cool Coalition in partnership with national and local government bodies are installing a 'cool roof' on the bustling Kashmere Gate interstate bus terminal. The roof, which covers nearly 150,000 square feet, will be retrofitted with a surface that reflects at least 80% of solar heat, helping to cool upwards of 100,000 commuters daily. Another example is the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY) – India's flagship affordable housing scheme; to date, it has provided safe, secure homes to millions of families. However, in many affordable housing projects across India, keeping cool remains a challenge. Together with UNEP, PMAY aims to integrate passive cooling features – such as natural ventilation and insulated walls – into the 10 million homes the government targets for delivery by 2029. These efforts could reduce electricity use by up to 35%, by lowering indoor temperature by 3°C and giving families 40% more time in the year without needing cooling. Again, in the city of Chennai in southern India, where dense population, high-rise buildings and shortage of green space are causing temperatures to spike, attempts are on to reduce this so-called heat-island effect. UNEP's Cool Coalition and India's CEPT University mapped the city's hottest areas and provided officials with recommendations on how to use nature and passive cooling to bring down temperatures. These are being integrated into Chennai's masterplan and can reduce urban heat by up to 4°C and cut heat-caused illnesses by 15-30%. Furthermore, according to the feature, in India, most cities do not take a standardized, scientific approach for mapping urban heat, which is essential to developing plans that address scorching temperatures. To change this, UNEP and partners are supporting central and state government efforts in India to adopt cutting-edge strategies for identifying and addressing urban heat hotspots and helping develop guidelines on how these government agencies can use disaster-related funding on projects to reduce temperatures in urban areas.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
How India can keep cool as heatwaves grow
This is an AI-generated image, used for representational purposes only. As heatwaves grow more intense with rising temperatures and dense urban population, millions, especially in poorly ventilated informal settlements, face increasing thermal stress. This is likely to result in health risks, lost productivity and higher healthcare costs – especially in vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and outdoor workers. According to the India Meteorological Department's Annual Report, 2024 was the hottest ever recorded in India, surpassing the previous record set in 2016. Over 37 cities recorded temperatures exceeding 45°C. This aligns with the World Meteorological Organization's designation of 2024 as the warmest year in the 175-year global observational record. Projections for 2025 indicate more heatwave days, highlighting thermal comfort as a public health and climate resilience priority. Thermal comfort is tightly interwoven with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting health, resilience, productivity and energy efficiency. With India's urban population projected to reach 600 million by 2036, the challenge of ensuring a thermally comfortable living environment is urgent and central to safeguarding health and well-being of the occupants. Integrating thermal comfort and urban planning India has taken significant strides to integrate thermal comfort into its urban planning and infrastructure development strategies. At both national and sub-national levels, several policies and programmes have been introduced to address rising temperatures and enhance resilience to extreme heat. The India Cooling Action Plan ( ICAP ), developed by the Indian ministry of environment, forest and climate change, promotes sustainable and accessible cooling solutions, passive thermal comfort strategies such as enhanced natural ventilation, shading, cool roofs, low-heat-gain materials, while also providing a framework for their implementation. With Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) 2.0 targeting 30 million homes, thermal comfort is now a necessity. Building on this, the Indian ministry of housing and urban affairs is developing the Thermal Comfort Action Plan 2050 and related standards to guide affordable housing design. In 2024, it launched the PRiTHVi initiative (Passive-design Response in Thermal comfort with Viable solutions), offering practical passive design solutions such as site and space planning, optimized wall and roof design, strategic window placement, natural ventilation, shading techniques, and cool roofs to improve comfort and energy efficiency in both single and multi family affordable housing. At the state and municipal levels, Heat Action Plans (HAPs) and Cool Roof Policies are gaining traction. Over 120 districts in 14 states of India are implementing HAPs that include warnings, advisories, cooling centers and outreach. Cool Roof Policies in particular are being recognised as simple, cost-effective interventions to mitigate urban heat. Promoted by ICAP and the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, they are cost-effective heat mitigation measures recommended for large new constructions. Telangana led by adopting a Cool Roof Policy in 2023, extending mandatory cool roof compliance to residential and smaller commercial buildings to the state's building code. Eco-Niwas Samhita ( ENS ) and Energy Conservation and Sustainability Building Code ( ECSBC ) are being adopted across states, setting thermal performance standards for residential and commercial buildings. Additionally, India's Model Building Bye-laws 2016 (MBBL) were updated in 2024 to incorporate ICAP recommendations, promoting cool roofs, reflective paints, light-colored tiles and China mosaic tiling for rooftops. Finally, Green Building Rating systems support thermal comfort by incentivising practices such as passive cooling, insulation, and reflective materials. Policy gaps Despite national-level efforts, mainstreaming thermal comfort in Indian cities is hindered by gaps in local action. Many states and Union Territories have yet to notify ENS and ECSBC or integrate them into municipal bye-laws. Even where regulations exist, enforcement is weak due to limited capacity and monitoring. Initiatives such as PRiTHVi are not yet effectively implemented at the state level. Similarly, while Telangana has taken the lead in developing a cool roof policy, most other states have not yet institutionalized such measures. Despite the ICAP recommending cool roof programmes, there is a lack of corresponding initiatives at the national, state, or city level to promote it. Most HAPs focus on short-term emergency responses, such as early warnings, heat-health advisories, and public cooling centers, while lacking long-term strategies like mandating cool roofs in building codes, integrating advanced low-embodied-energy, low-U-value materials in state Schedule of Rates, and mandating thermal comfort standards across state-level affordable housing schemes. There is no central mechanism to track compliance or support municipal enforcement of thermal comfort-related codes, standards, or action plans. Opportunities for action India now has a unique opportunity to embed thermal comfort as a foundational principle of urban development. As a member of the Smart Surfaces Coalition, TERI is working with the city of Bhopal—the first in South Asia to pursue a citywide smart surface strategy—to demonstrate how evidence-based research, combined with granular city-scale data, can accelerate the adoption of smart and passive cooling solutions at scale. This includes interventions like reflective (cool) roofs and pavements, permeable surfaces, green roofs, solar photovoltaic roof panels, tree cover, and other treatments to reduce urban heat, boost energy efficiency, and build climate resilience. It is also supporting the revision of building bye-laws for cantonment board civil areas to incorporate ICAP-recommended measures and energy codes, offering a replicable model for other jurisdictions. To mainstream thermal comfort, it is imperative that states accelerate the adoption and enforcement of ENS and ECSBC codes. These codes should be adapted to suit different climate zones and integrated into model building bye-laws. HAPs must expand their scope beyond emergency responses to include year-round preparedness and built-environment adaptations. Local governments should also invest in training municipal officials, architects and masons, while raising awareness among residents in heat-prone zones to drive demand for thermally comfortable buildings. A bold and coordinated step forward would be the launch of a National Mission on Thermal Comfort for All under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. This mission should include a dedicated fund for innovation in affordable housing and infrastructure, a national data and knowledge-sharing platform, alignment of state and city-level policies with national climate goals, and robust monitoring frameworks to track progress and impact. Such a mission would embody climate justice by protecting those most vulnerable to extreme heat while reinforcing India's leadership in equitable and sustainable urban development. (Content courtesy 360info) Sanjay Seth is Senior Director, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Vice President and CEO, Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) Council, New Delhi. Tarishi Kaushik is Associate Fellow , Sustainable Buildings Division, TERI, New Delhi.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
At 2,507 MW, Kol power demand peaked on Thurs night
Kolkata: The city witnessed an early and intense increase in cooling demand, driven by the worsening Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. On April 24, Kolkata's energy needs peaked, a full two months earlier than last year. According to West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL), the state's energy demand soared to 10,090 MW late on Thursday night, while CESC, Kolkata's main power utility, saw a peak of 2,507 MW. The soaring demand coincided with maximum temperature reaching 35.4°C and relative humidity climbing to 89%, drastically narrowing the gap between day and night temperatures. This intense combination of heat and moisture has sparked concern over wet-bulb temperatures — a measure that accounts for both heat and humidity, and indicates the risk of heat stress on the body. Experts warn that a wet-bulb temperature of 35°C and relative humidity beyond 75% is considered critical, beyond which even healthy individuals can survive for only a few hours. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata A report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) underscores the dangers of Kolkata's rising energy consumption. It warns that without rapid adoption of energy-efficient cooling technologies , the increased demand for air-conditioning and cooling will escalate greenhouse gas emissions, compounding the already critical urban heat problem. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Co-Founder of Google Brain, Andrew Ng, Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Kolkata's situation mirrors a national trend. In Delhi, the summer of 2024 recorded nearly 40 consecutive days above 40°C, pushing cooling infrastructure to its limits. The India Cooling Action Plan (2019) aimed to reduce cooling demand by 20%-25% by 2037-38, but the relentless pace of climate change and urbanisation has made achieving this goal challenging. Natural solutions, like restoring urban water bodies, are being recognised as vital cooling agents that can help moderate city temperatures. Unchecked urban sprawl and pollution have eroded these natural buffers. Innovative approaches, such as using heat-reflective materials, cool roofs, and permeable pavements, are also crucial to mitigating UHI effects. Replacing conventional heat-trapping surfaces, like asphalt and concrete, can significantly lower surface temperatures. Expanding green cover through rooftop gardens, green walls, and urban forestry initiatives can promote evapotranspiration. The report called for policymakers to tailor heat action plans to regional conditions — while cities like Delhi battle dry heat, coastal hubs like Kolkata and Mumbai must address the deadly combination of heat and high humidity. Building urban resilience will depend on data-driven strategies, sustainable cooling technologies, and climate-sensitive urban planning, the report says.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
India Commercial Air Conditioning Market Forecast Report and Company Analysis 2025-2033 Featuring Voltas, Blue Star, Havells, Whirlpool, Godrej and Boyce,, MIRC Electronics, Johnson Controls-Hitachi
Indian Commercial Air Conditioning Market Dublin, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "India Commercial Air Conditioning Market Forecast Report by Type, Application, Distribution Channel, Regional Analysis and Company Analysis 2025-2033" report has been added to Indian commercial air conditioning market was valued at US$1.55 billion in 2024. It is expected to grow remarkably and reach US$6.34 billion by 2033. This growth will constitute a robust compound annual growth rate of 16.88% from 2025 to 2033. Based on the factors of growing infrastructure development, increasing urbanization, and technological advancement, the market is expected to grow significantly, especially within commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, retail stores, and manufacturing units. Commercial air conditioning refers to sophisticated cooling systems designed to control temperature and air quality in large spaces such as offices, hospitals, malls, educational institutions, and industrial facilities. These units are built to handle larger areas, higher occupancy, and complex climate control requirements compared to residential air conditioning. Common types include central air conditioning, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, chillers, and packaged units. Each of these is meant to provide consistent cooling, energy efficiency, and better air conditioning is increasingly being used in India because of urbanization, industrial growth, and increasing temperatures. Office spaces use them to keep employees comfortable and productive, while retail outlets, hotels, and restaurants use them to create a pleasant indoor environment for customers. In the health sector, commercial air conditioning provides hospitals and clinics with sterile and controlled environments. Educational institutions require such systems to produce favorable conditions in which students can learn and industries for handling temperature-sensitive processes. In addition, growing energy efficiency and pushing sustainable infrastructure makes commercial air conditioning essential across most industries in Cooling Action Plan in IndiaIndia has pioneered the development of a Cooling Action Plan, which was launched in March 2019, becoming the first country in the world to implement such a strategy. This comprehensive plan is designed to reduce the demand for cooling across various sectors. The formulation of the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) involved a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach that aims to coordinate efforts to address cooling needs effectively. These aim at more sustainable Indian cooling and address environmental and efficiency challenges in Drivers for the India Commercial Air Conditioning Market Rapid Urbanization and Infrastructure DevelopmentThe population in urban India is growing rapidly. This leads to monumental infrastructural development in the cities. They start witnessing the construction of office buildings, shopping malls, hospitals, hotels, and educational institutions, all of which require sophisticated cooling solutions. The demand for energy-efficient and large-scale air conditioning systems has surged as urban spaces grow. Smart cities and high-rise developments further boost this demand. Developers increasingly prioritize sustainable and intelligent cooling systems, aligning with green building certifications and government energy efficiency initiatives, driving commercial air conditioning market Demand from the Industrial SectorIndia's industrial sector is growing rapidly, with manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and IT hubs expanding nationwide. These industries demand accuracy in temperature control to ensure product quality and efficiency of operations and to create work-friendly environments. Commercial air conditioning is, therefore, critical in providing cool equipment, controlling heat-sensitive processes, and assuring cleanliness in electronics and health care sectors. Increasing industrialization in tier-2 and tier-3 cities has, thus resulted in adopting high-tech and energy-effective air conditioners, which further added fuel to the growth of this market. Dovetailing with this vision was also the several initiatives taken by the government recently, through which the focus on the building of future infrastructure has come out clear. The Gati Shakti national master plan, with its US$ 1.3 trillion valuation, was a forerunner to usher systemic and effective reforms in the sector and has already shown significant Advancements and Energy Efficiency FocusThe Indian commercial air conditioning market has been revolutionized by the use of new technologies, including variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, IoT-enabled climate controls, and ecologically friendly types of refrigerants. Business concerns engage in smart, energy-efficient systems to decrease the operational costs associated with environmental regulations. Government programs promoting energy conservation, such as BEE ratings, also push up the demand for advanced systems. Energy-efficient solutions have become a priority with rising electricity costs and environmental concerns, driving technological adoption and overall market growth. Voltas launched a new commercial AC product line, which includes Inverter Scroll Chillers having cooling capacities of 12-72 TR, at ACREX India 2024 in Noida during Feb 2024. The chillers use eco-friendly for the India Commercial Air Conditioning Market High Initial Investment CostsA significant challenge in the Indian commercial air conditioning market is the requirement of a high initial investment for advanced systems. Energy-efficient technologies such as VRF systems and chillers involve significant capital expenditure, making them relatively unaffordable for smaller and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, installation costs for large-scale systems can be prohibitive, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities where budget constraints often limit adoption. Despite long-term savings through energy efficiency, the upfront costs deter many businesses, slowing market penetration, particularly in cost-sensitive sectors like retail and small-scale Consumption and Power Infrastructure ConstraintsCommercial air conditioning systems consume significant energy, increasing operational costs and placing pressure on India's already strained power infrastructure. The unavailability of sustained power supply in various regions, mainly in rural and semi-urban zones, sharply curtails the installation of large air-conditioning systems. Moreover, the increasing price of electricity further disincentivizes organizations to adopt such solutions, especially without adequate government subsidies or incentives. This further complicates the market growth of energy-demand-intensive businesses in such regions that lack strong power infrastructure, leading to this Outlook for East India Commercial Air ConditioningEast India is a developing market for commercial air conditioning, where the infrastructures are being developed in the cities, and cities such as Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, and Guwahati. With growing retail, healthcare, and educational institutions need advanced cooling solutions in the region, apart from coastal areas experiencing high humidity levels. The market penetration is slow, but there is a reason for it: limited industrialization in rural and semi-urban areas and low purchasing power. However, government investment in infrastructure and connectivity will improve growth opportunities, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, going ahead. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 75 Forecast Period 2024 - 2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $1.56 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $6.34 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 16.8% Regions Covered India Company Analysis: Overview, Key Personnel, Recent Developments, Product Portfolio & Product Launches, Revenue Voltas Limited Blue Star Limited Havells India Limited Whirlpool of India Limited Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited MIRC Electronics Limited Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited Type - Industry is divided into 4 viewpoints: PAC (Precision Air Conditioners) VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) Systems Chillers Others (Packaged Systems, Rooftop Units, etc.) Application - Industry is divided into 5 viewpoints: IT & Data Centers Hospitality Industry Healthcare Facilities Retail and Shopping Malls Others (Educational Institutions, Offices, etc.) Distribution Channel - Industry is divided into 3 viewpoints: Small Retailers Modern Retail/ MBO Online Regional Analysis - Industry is divided into 4 viewpoints: North India South India East India West India For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Indian Commercial Air Conditioning Market CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Sign in to access your portfolio
