As the world heats up, converting to energy-efficient cooling systems will curb greenhouse gas emissions

  • Date: 17-Jul-2020
  • Source: CNBC
  • Sector:Oil & Gas
  • Country:Oman
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As the world heats up, converting to energy-efficient cooling systems will curb greenhouse gas emissions

A woman in Glendale, Calif., uses an umbrella to hide from the sun on May 26, 2020.

Al Seib | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images

As the world heats up, converting to energy-efficient cooling systems is a major way to curb greenhouse gas emissions and limit climate change, according to a new report from the U.N. Environment Programme and the International Energy Agency. 

A shift to energy-efficient air conditioning appliances could cut as much as 460 billion metric tons of global greenhouse gas emissions “” or about eight years of emissions based on 2018 levels “” in the next four decades, according to the report titled "Cooling Emissions and Policy Synthesis." 

Doubling the energy efficiency of air conditioners worldwide could also save $2.9 trillion by 2050, just from reducing electricity generation and distribution costs, the report said. The IEA said an additional $1 trillion in spending over the next three years could increase gross domestic product by 3.5%, decrease global carbon emissions and create millions of jobs.

On the current warming trajectory, it's virtually certain that 2020 will be among the hottest years in recorded history. 2019 was the second-hottest year ever, capping off the world's hottest decade in recorded history. Six of the warmest years