On World Ozone Day 2026, Assam launched the Assam Cooling Action Plan (ACAP) under the theme “Global Action for a Cooler Planet.” 

• Assam is among the first States in India to prepare an integrated State-level cooling plan covering Buildings, Cold Chain, Industry and Transport.

What is the Assam Cooling Action Plan?

• The plan has been prepared by the Assam Climate Change Management Society, with technical collaboration from World Resources Institute India. 
• It translates the national India Cooling Action Plan, launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2019, into a State-specific framework.

Key objectives and interventions include:

• Energy efficiency will be promoted to reduce the electricity required for cooling.
• Responsible refrigerant management will help reduce environmental impacts from cooling equipment.
• Climate-friendly cooling technologies will be encouraged across sectors.
• Coordinated implementation among government departments will be necessary to convert the plan into actual outcomes.
• Nature-based cooling, including greater green cover and protection of natural ecosystems, will complement technological solutions.

Why is it important for Assam?

Assam’s cooling demand is expected to rise sharply with increasing temperatures, urbanisation and greater ownership of cooling appliances.

• Cooling-related electricity demand is projected to rise from 3,576 gigawatt-hours in 2025 to 8,445 gigawatt-hours by 2040.
• Residential electricity consumption is projected to increase substantially over the same period.
• Air-conditioner and refrigerator penetration is also expected to rise considerably, particularly in urban areas.

This creates a cooling–energy–climate nexus: greater demand for cooling can increase electricity consumption and emissions unless efficient technologies and cleaner energy systems are adopted.

National and global framework

• The ACAP builds upon the India Cooling Action Plan, which provides a 20-year national framework for reducing cooling demand, improving energy efficiency and promoting better refrigerant technologies.
• It is also linked to the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment, which addresses the phase-down of high-global-warming-potential hydrofluorocarbons while encouraging energy-efficient cooling.
• Assam’s Amrit Brikshya Andolan and Brikshya Bandhu initiatives can complement the plan through increased tree cover and nature-based cooling.

Exam Hook

Prelims: The Assam Cooling Action Plan covers which four sectors?

Answer: Buildings, Cold Chain, Industry and Transport.

Mains Link: “Sustainable cooling is simultaneously an energy, climate, public health and development challenge.” Discuss with reference to Assam.