The Indonesian government has unveiled its pioneering National Cooling Action Plan (I-NCAP) in Bali. This landmark inter-ministerial initiative aims to address one of the primary contributors to global warming, steering Indonesia towards a sustainable and net-zero future.
The I-NCAP concentrates on five critical areas: building space cooling, food cold chains, healthcare cold chains, mobile air conditioning, and process cooling. It aligns with Indonesia’s enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and is developed with support from ESCAP, UNEP, and Sustainable Energy for All under the Cool Coalition framework. The plan outlines strategies to manage rising cooling demand, boost energy efficiency in cooling appliances, and promote the use of low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants.
“The launch of Indonesia’s National Cooling Action Plan marks a crucial step in our commitment to protect our people from extreme heat with climate-friendly cooling solutions. This National Cooling Action Plan will serve as a systematic and comprehensive framework to realize lower energy demand and emissions while improving the resilience of our population and economic sectors,” said Dr. Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of the Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
In 2020, Indonesia's space cooling in buildings and the food cold chain sector consumed 79 TWh, representing 30% of the nation's total electricity use. Without effective interventions, electricity demand in the building sector is expected to rise nearly 400%, from 62 TWh in 2020 to 241 TWh by 2040. Through targeted policies, market enablers, regulatory enforcement, technological and financial support, and capacity-building, the I-NCAP aims to cap this increase at 104 TWh by 2040, a 57% reduction.
Mr. Hongpeng Liu, Director of the Energy Division at ESCAP, praised the collaborative effort, “As a result of exemplary cross-ministerial and multi-agency collaboration, Indonesia’s National Cooling Action Plan stands as a beacon of the integrated approach needed to address sustainable development challenges in the context of our changing climate. This initiative sets a benchmark for other nations to follow towards a more resilient, energy-efficient, and climate-friendly future.”
Ms. Ruth Zugman do Coutto, Chief of the Mitigation Branch of UNEP’s Climate Change Division, added, “The I-NCAP follows a comprehensive vision for cooling, ensuring thermal comfort in buildings, resilience to extreme heat, and essential services like vaccines and safe food, while driving climate action. We applaud Indonesia’s leadership and encourage continued collaboration among ministries and stakeholders to ensure a cooler, more sustainable future for millions.”
As the world approaches significant events like the G20 Clean Energy Ministerial and COP29, the launch of the I-NCAP highlights Indonesia's leadership in the cooling sector and its commitment to sustainable and innovative cooling solutions. The success of the I-NCAP hinges on a unified effort between Indonesian ministries, industry stakeholders, and international partners. Dr. Dewi emphasized, “We call upon the international community to join Indonesia in implementing this plan, ensuring sustainable access to cooling for all. Together, we can pave the way for a greener future, mitigating climate impacts while fostering innovation and resilience in our cooling sector.”
Indonesia’s I-NCAP is a groundbreaking initiative that sets a standard for other countries aiming for climate-friendly cooling solutions.
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