Launch Webinars — Updated Country Savings Assessments and Model Regulation Guidelines for Air Conditioners and Air to Air Heat Pumps

As cooling demand continues to grow across developing and emerging economies, energy efficient and climate friendly cooling technologies are becoming increasingly important for reducing electricity consumption, lowering energy costs, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. To support countries in strengthening evidence based energy efficiency policies and regulatory frameworks, UNEP’s United for Efficiency hosted two regional webinars for Asia and Africa to introduce the updated Country Savings Assessments and the revised Model Regulation Guidelines for Air Conditioners and Air to Air Heat Pumps.

Held on 18 May 2026 for Asia and 20 May 2026 for Africa, the webinars presented how these two complementary tools can help countries assess the benefits of energy efficiency policies, design and strengthen Minimum Energy Performance Standards, and support the transition to efficient and climate friendly cooling technologies. The sessions included demonstrations of the updated Country Savings Assessments, an overview of the revised Model Regulation Guidelines, and regional perspectives on how evidence based policy and regulatory frameworks can support market transformation in Asia and Africa.

The updated Country Savings Assessments cover 156 developing countries and emerging economies and quantify the energy, financial, environmental, and other policy related benefits of transitioning to energy efficient appliances through Energy Performance Standards. The revised Model Regulation Guidelines provide practical guidance for governments to design and implement Minimum Energy Performance Standards and other regulatory measures for air conditioners and air to air heat pumps, including refrigerant related requirements.

Topics covered:

Overview of the updated Country Savings Assessments and key improvements
Demonstrations of the new Country Savings Assessments dashboard interface, with examples from Asia and Africa
Introduction to the revised Model Regulation Guidelines for Air Conditioners and Air to Air Heat Pumps
Regional perspectives on using evidence and regulation to drive energy efficiency policy and market transformation

Speakers:

- Jonathan Duwyn, Head, Mitigation Policy and Planning Unit, UNEP
- Patrick Blake, Programme Manager, UNEP U4E
- Saikiran Kasamsetty, Energy Efficiency Specialist, UNEP U4E
- Miquel Pitarch Mocholí, International Cooling Expert, UNEP U4E
- Zafe Fazilah Abu Bakar, Moderator, Energy Efficiency Specialist, UNEP U4E
- Mzwandile Thwala, Moderator, Energy Efficiency Specialist, UNEP U4E
- Naing Naing Linn, Head of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Department, ASEAN Centre for Energy
- Nickson Bukachi Ongeri, AFREC Energy Specialist