John Kerry Pledges to Reduce Emissions from Cooling Equipment to Fight Climate Change
John Kerry, the U.S. Special Envoy for Climate, has committed to slashing the nation's emissions from cooling-related products in the battle against man-made global warming. Kerry made this announcement at the annual United Nations climate change summit, COP28, where the U.S. joined more than 60 other nations in the Global Cooling Pledge. The pledge aims to reduce cooling-related emissions by at least 68% by 2050 compared to 2022 levels.
Commitment to Reduce Emissions from Cooling Equipment
John Kerry, the U.S. Special Envoy for Climate, has pledged to reduce the nation's emissions from cooling-related products as part of the fight against man-made global warming. This commitment was made at COP28, the annual United Nations climate change summit.
To support this pledge, the U.S. has joined more than 60 other nations in the Global Cooling Pledge, which focuses on reducing climate-warming emissions from cooling equipment and appliances. The pledge sets a target of reducing cooling-related emissions by at least 68% by 2050 compared to 2022 levels.
In addition to emission reduction targets, the pledge also includes the establishment of minimum energy performance standards by 2030. This comprehensive approach aims to address the significant contribution of cooling-related products to global greenhouse gas emissions.
The Impact of Cooling-related Emissions
Cooling-related emissions, from both refrigerants and the energy used in cooling, currently account for approximately 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, these emissions are expected to triple by 2050 as temperatures continue to rise.
According to the Clean Cooling Collaborative non-profit group, the increase in emissions is a result of factors such as the growing usage of air conditioners due to rising temperatures, increasing populations, and higher incomes. The installed capacity of cooling equipment is projected to triple by mid-century.
Experts at the COP28 conference emphasize the urgency of addressing these emissions, as the increasing demand for air conditioners and refrigerators will further strain energy systems and contribute to a collapse. The Global Cooling Pledge aims to mitigate this risk by promoting sustainable cooling practices.
Other Climate Change Commitments
John Kerry's commitment to reduce emissions from cooling equipment is just one of the many promises made at COP28 to tackle climate change. At the conference, Kerry also announced the United States' commitment to not building any new coal plants and phasing out existing ones.
Furthermore, Kerry announced a joint commitment with Romania to triple nuclear energy generation and reduce methane emissions to achieve Net Zero. These commitments highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
While these commitments are seen as crucial steps in the fight against climate change, skeptics argue that natural forces, such as solar activity, play a significant role in climate change. Nevertheless, the consensus among conference attendees is that immediate and drastic action is necessary to prevent temperatures from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius.
