Abstract
This study estimates current emissions from all cooling activities in the UK. While the direct emissions (due to refrigerant leakage) from cooling are fairly well understood, estimates for indirect emissions from energy consumption are much more uncertain. This paper presents a focused attempt at estimating the energy consumption from cooling activities using a top-down approach, disaggregating national energy statistics using assumptions drawn from existing literature and research. This work also draws on other investigations in this area, including the TICR (Transport, Industrial and Commercial Refrigeration) project.
The central estimate of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cooling activities in the UK in 2021 from this study are estimated to be 5% of total UK GHG emissions in 2021 with a median value based upon a range of data sources equivalent to c.3.5%. This study also estimated c.19% of total UK electricity consumption and c. 1.6% of total UK petrol and diesel (including red diesel) was used to provide cooling in the UK in 2021. The median value of electricity consumption from a range of studies was 15% with a range of variance of +/- 4.5%.
This paper describes the investigation, the emerging results produced and next steps to provide continuous improvement of estimates.
The central estimate of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cooling activities in the UK in 2021 from this study are estimated to be 5% of total UK GHG emissions in 2021 with a median value based upon a range of data sources equivalent to c.3.5%. This study also estimated c.19% of total UK electricity consumption and c. 1.6% of total UK petrol and diesel (including red diesel) was used to provide cooling in the UK in 2021. The median value of electricity consumption from a range of studies was 15% with a range of variance of +/- 4.5%.
This paper describes the investigation, the emerging results produced and next steps to provide continuous improvement of estimates.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 2024 |
| Event | 2024 Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Technical Symposium - Cardiff University Welsh School of Architecture Duration: 11 Apr 2024 → 12 Apr 2024 https://www.cibse.org/whats-on/cibse-ibpsa-england-technical-symposium/2024-programme/ |
Conference
| Conference | 2024 Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Technical Symposium |
|---|---|
| Period | 11/04/24 → 12/04/24 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- Emissions, energy consumption, cooling, UK
Rights Retention Statement
- This work was funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero [FM21297]. For the purpose of open access, the author has applied a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising.
