India Cooling Action Plan, Targets, Sectors Covered, Role

The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) is a long-term national policy framework launched in March 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It provides a 20-year roadmap (up to 2037-38) to address India’s rapidly rising cooling demand in an energy-efficient, climate-friendly, and socially inclusive manner. 

About India Cooling Action Plan

The India Cooling Action Plan is a strategic framework to manage cooling demand across sectors while reducing environmental impact.

• It addresses cooling needs across residential buildings, commercial spaces, transport, industries, and cold chain logistics.
• It integrates cooling with energy efficiency, climate action, and sustainable development goals.
• It aims to ensure access to affordable and sustainable cooling for all sections of society.
• It treats cooling as an essential requirement for economic growth and human well-being.

India Cooling Action Plan Key Targets

India Cooling Action Plan sets clear long-term quantitative targets:

• Reduce overall cooling demand by 20-25 percent across sectors.
• Reduce refrigerant demand by 25-30 percent.
• Reduce cooling energy consumption by 25-40 percent.
• Promote research and innovation in cooling technologies under national science programmes.
• Strengthen skills by training and certifying 1,00,000 servicing technicians (initial target under Skill India Mission framework).
• Ensure sustainable cooling access for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low Income Groups (LIG).
• Align cooling strategy with India’s climate commitments under global environmental agreements.

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India Cooling Action Plan Need

Cooling has become a critical developmental and environmental challenge in India.

• Cooling systems contribute significantly to global emissions, with refrigeration and air conditioning responsible for a substantial share of energy-related emissions.
• India is experiencing rising temperatures, heatwaves, and urban heat stress, increasing demand for cooling.
• Rapid urbanisation and rising incomes are accelerating air conditioner adoption.
• Many cooling systems in use are energy inefficient.
• Refrigerant leakage from untrained servicing practices contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
• Cooling demand is expected to grow sharply in the coming decades, increasing pressure on electricity infrastructure.

India Cooling Action Plan Institutional and Policy Framework

India Cooling Action Plan functions as a cross-sectoral policy framework involving multiple ministries and institutions.

• It promotes energy-efficient appliances through labelling and minimum performance standards.
• It encourages passive cooling techniques such as natural ventilation, reflective roofs, and climate-sensitive building design.
• It supports expansion of cold chain infrastructure for agriculture, healthcare, and food security.
• It promotes research into low global warming potential refrigerants and energy-efficient technologies.
• It strengthens skill development and certification in the cooling servicing sector.
• It is aligned with national programmes such as Smart Cities Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and energy efficiency initiatives.

India Cooling Action Plan International Environmental Alignment: 

• ICAP is aligned with the Montreal Protocol (1987) for ozone protection.
• It is specifically linked to the Kigali Amendment (2016), which India ratified in 2021.
• The Kigali Amendment focuses on the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are powerful greenhouse gases used in cooling systems.
• This alignment ensures that India’s cooling growth supports both ozone protection and climate change mitigation.

India Cooling Action Plan Performance and Implementation Progress

Since its launch, India Cooling Action Plan has influenced several policy and market developments:

• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has strengthened appliance efficiency standards and expanded the Star Labeling Programme.
• Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has promoted super-efficient air conditioning technologies.
• Cold chain and refrigeration infrastructure have expanded, supporting agriculture and healthcare logistics.
• Awareness of sustainable cooling has increased among industries and policymakers.

However, structural challenges remain:

• Cooling demand is still rising faster than efficiency gains.
• Adoption of low-GWP refrigerants is slow.
• Monitoring and coordination across sectors is fragmented.