India is experiencing a significant rise in summer temperatures and facing heat wave like situations every year due to global warming and climate change. Like many other places in the country, Assam and northeastern states have also started experiencing increased temperatures during the summer. Studies show a clear warming trend in Guwahati, with a significant rise in the frequency of hot events over the past 40 years. Climate change projections indicate that Assam's average temperature could rise by 1.7°C to 2.2°C by mid-century. In this context, the need for cooling and refrigeration has become critical not only for people's health, well-being, and productivity but also for economic growth. Cooling is essential across multiple sectors, including buildings, cold chains, industries, and transportation. It plays a vital role in preserving food and vaccines through cold chains and ensuring the smooth operation of industries and transport infrastructure.

Given the economic transformation that state is undergoing currently, the demand for cooling is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. As Assam continues to grow economically, it will be crucial to manage the increasing need for cooling and refrigeration in a sustainable manner for the state’s long-term sustainable development. However, as we are aware, producing cooling requires a substantial amount of electricity and usage of refrigerants which have high global warming potential (GWP). Therefore, addressing the rising demand for cooling in a sustainable manner is critical.

To address this challenge, WRI India in collaboration with the Assam Climate Change Management Society (ACCMS), Government of Assam, is working towards development of a cooling action plan for the state. The aim of this plan is to promote sustainability and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions associated with cooling. Since cooling is a cross-sectoral issue, it requires active participation and involvement of various departments.

The proposed workshop is the first in the series of discussions, designed to bring together key stakeholders from the government to explore the barriers and challenges of meeting the growing demand for cooling and to deliberate on strategies to address the environmental impacts of cooling.

Objectives of the workshop

  • To sensitize relevant government departments and agencies on the growing need for cooling across various sectors and the challenges posed by high heat stress situation in Assam.
  • To highlight the need for a state specific cooling action plan and discuss project objectives, approach, methodology, and expected outcomes while taking feedback on improving the approach
  • To identify other relevant stakeholders and institutions that need to be consulted for the development of the cooling action plan for the state.

Speakers

  • Shri P J Vijayakar, IFS, Addl. PCCF and CEO of ACCMS
  • Shri Rizwan Uz Zaman, Senior Technical Consultant, ACCMS
  • Deepak Tewari, WRI India
  • Masfick Hazarika, WRI India

Resources