Delivering on action plans for suistainable air conditioning
The People’s Republic of China had the fastest growth in space cooling energy consumption
worldwide in the last two decades, driven by increasing income and growing demand
for thermal comfort. This report explores the principal trends and challenges related
to this rapid growth, looking into existing market developments, policies, technology
choices and occupant behaviour in buildings in China. It then looks at how cooling
demand in buildings might evolve over the next decade to 2030 and considers what China
can do to ensure greater cooling comfort without parallel growth in energy consumption
and related emissions. The report recommends raising energy performance standards
for cooling equipment, tapping into building design opportunities, and ensuring that
“part time” and “part space” behaviour remains the principal cooling mode in buildings.
These strategies, among others, will reduce the impact of rising cooling demand on
China’s electricity system, unlocking benefits in terms of reduced power capacity
investments, lower energy and maintenance costs, improved air quality, and greater
access to cooling comfort.