Energy-Efficient Cooling Products in Latin America and the Caribbean

The UN Secretary-General, Ban Kimoon, launched the global initiative Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) in 2011 to increase global action on renewable energy, energy efficiency and access to energy. For energy efficiency, SE4ALL established the accelerator of efficient appliances and equipment, and appointed the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to coordinate, along with other actors, the activities of this accelerator. In order to work with governments and the private sector to accelerate the use of efficient products and equipment, UNEP established the Efficient Appliances and Equipment Global Partnership Programme, together with its partners CLASP, the International Copper Association (ICA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the non-governmental organization Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).  On August 20, 2014, OLADE hosted
the VI Seminar on Energy Efficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean in Managua, Nicaragua. Within the seminar, UNEP and its partners presented the Efficient Appliances and Equipment Global Partnership Programme to the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean. The results are an analysis of the status of energy-efficiency policies for cooling equipment (air conditioners, refrigerators and fans) in the region were presented, together with estimates of the energy, financial and environmental benefits that would be gained through the implementation of advanced policies for these products. The meeting facilitated regional discussions to identify the lessons learned and policy priorities to foster actions in the region.