At the 2025 edition of Energise India, UNEP’s United for Efficiency (U4E) presented new evidence on how improving performance evaluation and strengthening policy implementation can accelerate the global transition to more sustainable air conditioners (ACs) and heat pumps. The study, Advancing Performance Evaluation and Policy Implementation for More Sustainable Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps, was authored by experts from U4E, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, RMI and CEPT University.  

The research highlights the urgent need for robust Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), effective implementation frameworks, and updated testing methods that reflect real-world operating conditions. As global cooling demand continues to rise, expected to more than double by 2040, with stocks increasing nearly 3.5 times in Southeast Asia and Africa, the paper demonstrates that stronger, harmonised policies are essential to avoid surges in energy use and emissions.  

A central contribution of the study is its analysis of the performance gap between how air conditioners are rated today and how they actually operate in warm and humid climates. Current test standards underrepresent latent load removal, leading to efficiency values that fail to account for significant additional energy use. Evidence from CEPT University, including laboratory tests and a nine-month field trial, confirms that overcooling to maintain humidity can increase energy consumption by 20–25% in commercial AC units.   

The paper also provides an overview of U4E’s Model Regulation Guidelines (MRG), which serve as a reference for national and regional MEPS worldwide, and its Country Savings Assessments, which quantify potential energy, emissions, and economic benefits from adopting higher-efficiency policies. The paper further underscores the collective national and regional impact of adopting the MEPS outlined in the U4E MRG, emphasising that more than 30 countries have already aligned with these guidelines, with several other developing and emerging economies following suite.  

The paper also delineates the major barriers to effective policy implementation in developing countries, drawing on practical lessons learned from addressing these challenges. This framework enables policymakers to understand the impact of transitioning to efficient, climate-friendly cooling solutions.  

Looking ahead, the study outlines key priorities for future progress, including integrating advanced test metrics, such as humidity-responsive performance evaluation, into national MEPS and labelling programmes. These updates will be reflected in the forthcoming 2026 revision of U4E’s Model Regulation Guidelines for Air Conditioners, which will also expand coverage to ducted and multi-split systems up to 70 kW.  

U4E’s participation in Energise India 2025 (6–8 November 2025) provided an opportunity to share these insights with policymakers, researchers, and industry actors working to strengthen sustainable cooling pathways in India and globally. Held as a residential conference at Asia Plateau in Panchgani, Maharashtra, Energise India convenes participants across sectors for research presentations and dialogue focused on energy efficiency and decarbonisation. 

If you would like to learn more about U4E’s work on energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling, or about this study, please get in touch with Miquel Pitarch Mocholi (miquel.pitarch@un.org) or Saikiran Kasamsetty (saikiran.kasamsetty@un.org).