The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) is a comprehensive strategy launched by the Government of India in 2019. It provides an integrated vision towards cooling across sectors helping in the reduction of cooling demand, refrigerant transition, enhancing energy efficiency, and better technology options. The plan aims to reduce cooling-related energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while promoting sustainable and climate-friendly cooling technologies and practices.
Significance of the India Cooling Action Plan
NITI Aayog has estimated that almost 65% of the energy demand in India is utilized for space cooling and heating. This usage is projected to rise eleven-fold by 2037-38. To address this growing demand and its environmental impact, India became the first country in the world to bring out a Cooling Action Plan in 2019.
Features of the India Cooling Action Plan
The India Cooling Action Plan provides an integrated vision towards cooling across sectors encompassing reduction of cooling demand, refrigerant transition, enhancing energy efficiency, and better technology options by 2037-38. It focuses on:
Reducing cooling demand through energy-efficient building designs, better insulation, and adoption of cool roofs and walls.
Promoting sustainable cooling technologies such as natural cooling methods, energy-efficient air conditioners, and low-GWP refrigerants.
Strengthening the policy and regulatory framework related to cooling technologies and practices, including implementing standards and labels for energy-efficient appliances and phasing out high GWP refrigerants.
Objectives and Effects of the India Cooling Action Plan
The key objectives of the India Cooling Action Plan are:
Reduce Cooling Demand: By promoting energy-efficient building designs, better insulation, and the adoption of cool roofs and walls, the plan aims to mitigate the increasing energy consumption associated with cooling needs.
Promote Sustainable Cooling Technologies: The plan emphasizes the use of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient cooling technologies, such as natural cooling methods, energy-efficient air conditioners, and low-GWP refrigerants.
Strengthen Policy and Regulatory Framework: ICAP aims to strengthen the policy and regulatory framework related to cooling technologies and practices, including developing and implementing standards and labels for energy-efficient appliances and phasing out high GWP refrigerants.
The implementation of the India Cooling Action Plan is expected to have the following effects:
Reduction in cooling-related energy consumption
Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
Promotion of sustainable and climate-friendly cooling technologies and practices
Improved energy efficiency in cooling
Pros and Cons of the India Cooling Action Plan
Pros:
Reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
Promotes sustainable and climate-friendly cooling technologies
Enhances energy efficiency in cooling
Strengthens the policy and regulatory framework
Cons:
Implementation challenges and associated costs
Requires cooperation and support from industry, consumers, and policymakers
Transition to low-GWP refrigerants may require investments in research and development
Fun Fact
India became the first country in the world to bring out a Cooling Action Plan in 2019, highlighting its commitment to addressing the challenges of cooling demand and promoting sustainable cooling solutions.
Mutiple Choice Questions
1. What is the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP)?
a) A plan to reduce cooling-related energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in India
b) A plan to increase the overall cooling demand in India
c) A plan to promote the use of high GWP refrigerants in cooling technologies
d) A plan to phase out environmentally friendly cooling technologies
Correct answer: a) A plan to reduce cooling-related energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in India
Explanation: The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) is a comprehensive strategy launched by the Government of India in 2019 to address the challenges posed by the growing demand for cooling solutions in the country. It aims to reduce cooling-related energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while promoting sustainable and climate-friendly cooling technologies and practices.
2. What are the key objectives of the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP)?
a) Reduce cooling demand, promote sustainable cooling technologies, and strengthen policy and regulatory framework
b) Increase cooling demand, promote energy-intensive cooling technologies, and relax policy and regulatory framework
c) Ignore cooling demand, promote unsustainable cooling technologies, and weaken policy and regulatory framework
d) None of the above
Correct answer: a) Reduce cooling demand, promote sustainable cooling technologies, and strengthen policy and regulatory framework
Explanation: The key objectives of the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) are to reduce cooling demand in India by promoting energy-efficient building designs, better insulation, and the adoption of cool roofs and walls. It also aims to promote sustainable cooling technologies, such as natural cooling methods and energy-efficient air conditioners, and strengthen the policy and regulatory framework related to cooling technologies and practices.
3. Which international environmental convention is India a signatory to?
a) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
b) United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
c) Convention on Biological Diversity
d) All of the above
Correct answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: India is a signatory to major global environmental conventions and treaties, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and the Convention on Biological Diversity. India has also ratified the Paris Agreement and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
4. What is the purpose of evaporative cooling?
a) To increase the humidity of the air
b) To absorb heat from indoor spaces through radiation
c) To reduce the overall cooling demand in India
d) To cool the air by causing water to evaporate
Correct answer: d) To cool the air by causing water to evaporate
Explanation: Evaporative cooling is an extremely effective way of cooling that has been used extensively in hot and dry conditions. It involves hot air passing through a medium saturated with water, causing the water to evaporate and cool the air. This process provides thermal comfort for occupants.
5. How does radiant cooling technology work?
a) By absorbing heat from indoor spaces through radiation
b) By using air to transfer heat from indoor spaces
c) By absorbing heat from outdoor spaces through radiation
d) By using water to transfer heat from indoor spaces
Correct answer: a) By absorbing heat from indoor spaces through radiation
Explanation: Radiant cooling technology works by absorbing heat from indoor spaces through radiation. Unlike traditional air-conditioning systems, which use air to transfer heat, radiant cooling uses chilled water or other fluids circulating through pipes embedded in the ceilings, walls, or floors of a building to remove heat. This creates a comfortable and consistent cooling effect.
Overall, the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) aims to reduce cooling-related energy consumption, promote sustainable cooling technologies, strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks, and engage stakeholders in promoting climate-friendly cooling. It aligns with India’s commitments under international environmental conventions and supports the country’s efforts to combat climate change.
Brief Summary | UPSC – IAS
The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) is a comprehensive strategy launched in 2019 to address the growing demand for cooling solutions in India. It aims to reduce cooling demand, promote sustainable cooling technologies, and strengthen the policy and regulatory framework related to cooling. The plan focuses on reducing energy consumption associated with cooling needs, promoting environmentally friendly and energy-efficient cooling technologies, and raising awareness about sustainable cooling practices. It also emphasizes international collaboration and cooperation. The plan includes the promotion of passive cooling, geothermal properties of the earth, architectural design principles, district cooling systems, dehumidification, and radiant cooling technology. The ICAP is aligned with India’s commitments under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
