The ASEAN region is facing a rapid surge in demand for room air conditioners (RACs), driven by climate change, rapid urbanisation, and a growing middle class. Although RAC ownership across households currently stands at just 15%, projections show that the number of units will increase from 106 million in 2025 to nearly 243 million by 2040. To address this trajectory, a regional study was conducted, recommending a phased approach to strengthening energy efficiency policies and the ...Read More
UNEP-U4E and Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency Launch Pilot for Off-Grid Refrigeration
UNEP's United for Efficiency (U4E) initiative signed a landmark agreement with Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to pilot the deployment of energy-efficient, climate-friendly off-grid refrigeration solutions in rural communities. The project seeks to address one of the most pressing gaps in rural energy access: the lack of sustainable cooling for food preservation, healthcare, and economic development. The joint team will work with local companies to test scalable models for ...Read More
Empowering Nigeria for a Sustainable Cooling Future: Training Technicians on Eco-Friendly Air Conditioner Disposal
Through the Ministry of Environment, the Nigerian government has provided training on 27-28 November 2024 at Kano City, Nigeria, for technicians in the cooling sector on the proper end-of-life management of air conditioners (ACs) and refrigerants. This training was part of the project titled “Scaling Up Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Cooling in Nigeria’s NDC Revision”, coordinated by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) with financial support from Clean Cooling Collaborative ...Read More
DECEMBER 2024 ISSUE OF THE U4E NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
Stay informed with the latest updates from U4E. Our quarterly newsletter highlights the progress of U4E projects, newly released resources, and innovative tools driving energy efficiency worldwide. The December 2024 issue features: Insights from the U4E Partners' Meeting Advancements in sustainable cooling initiatives across West Africa Highlights from the Ghana Study Tour to support MEPS implementation for cooling in The Gambia Updates on MEPS progress ...Read More
Eswatini advances MEPS implementation with stakeholder engagement workshops
Eswatini is moving ahead with the implementation of SADC harmonised MEPS for room air conditioners and residential refrigeration appliances (cooling products) at national level, supported by UNEP - U4E. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy (MNRE), in collaboration with the Eswatini Standards Authority (SWASA), convened three workshops to create awareness about the nationally adopted MEPS and promote stakeholder engagement in October. The project to implement harmonised Minimum ...Read More
Zimbabwe advances implementation of SADC Harmonised MEPS for cooling appliances
On 7-8 August, United for Efficiency (U4E), the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, and the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) jointly organised the Training of Trainers workshop in Bindura, Zimbabwe, as part of the national implementation of SADC Harmonized MEPS for cooling appliances. The goal was to build technical capacity so that participants could also provide training to a broad audience at the planned regional workshop and ensure the smooth implementation of MEPS in the ...Read More
Study tour in Ghana boosts development and implementation of MEPS for air conditioners and refrigerators in The Gambia
Between July 29 and August 2, the Gambia Government conducted a study tour to Ghana to enhance the knowledge of Gambian officials on implementing Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for air conditioners and refrigerators. The study tour was a critical activity under the "National Framework for Leapfrogging to Energy Efficient and Climate Friendly Air Conditioners and Refrigerators in The Gambia" project, financed by the Gambia Government through the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The ...Read More
Twinning Workshop in Mozambique strengthens regional cooperation for energy efficiency in English-speaking African countries
On 13-14 June, United for Efficiency (U4E) participated in the Energy Efficiency Twinning Workshop for National Ozone Officers, National Energy Efficiency Policymakers, and Funding Mechanism Focal Points in Maputo, Mozambique. The event was organised by the ROA Anglophone Network of UNEP's OzonAction, and it was part of OzonAction's Compliance Assistance Programme, which supports Article 5 (developing) countries in implementing the Montreal Protocol. The Twinning Workshop was part of the ...Read More
EEC-SSN Meetings in Lao PDR Strengthen Collaboration to Achieve the APAEC Target and Align Energy Efficiency Areas
On 14-17 May 2024, United for Efficiency (U4E) participated in the 28th EE&C-SSN (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Sub Sector Network) Associated Meetings. The event aimed to review the status, provide an update on progress, and discuss strategies for achieving the milestones of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II: 2021-2025 for Programme Area No. 4: Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C). Held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, the meeting saw the active ...Read More
New Chilling Prospects report shows lack of cooling access threatens health, prosperity and the climate
*This is a United for Efficiency Partner Story and was originally published on the SEforALL website NEW YORK, July 16, 2018: Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) today released Chilling Prospects: Providing Sustainable Cooling for All – the first ever report to quantify the growing risks and assess the opportunities of the global cooling challenge. The report shows there are over 1.1 billion people globally who face immediate risks from lack of access to cooling. Cooling underpins the ...Read More
