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Submitted by nay.aung@un.org on 10 June 2024

Air-conditioning (A/C) systems have become essential in today’s life, providing space and comfort cooling. In 2021, the global demand for A/C reached nearly 111 million units with the majority used in residential (96 million units) and commercial sectors (14.5 million units). These systems use refrigerants that may still be ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and are also often potent greenhouse gases (GHG). Depending on the efficiency levels and usage patterns, the operation of A/C requires substantial amounts of electricity, contributing their indirect climate impacts. Increasing ambient temperatures in many regions, particularly in the last decade, have driven demand for space cooling provided by air conditioners.

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Climate Change and Ozone Layer Depletion Hotspots in Air-conditioning Systems
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