Key facts
- Rising global temperatures and frequent heatwaves are driving a significant increase in air conditioning (A/C) use worldwide.
- In 2024, extreme heat events in India, China, and the U.S. led to doubled electricity demand in some months, with A/C use being a major contributor.
- To meet increased demand, China, India, and the U.S. relied heavily on coal and gas generation, potentially slowing the green transition.
- A study estimates that by 2050, global A/C use could more than double, with a significant emissions increase if low-income regions gain access similar to richer ones.
- Air conditioning currently accounts for about 7% of global electricity consumption and 3% of carbon emissions.
Global temperatures are rising, leading to more frequent and intense heatwaves, which in turn are driving a significant increase in the demand for and installation of air conditioning (A/C) units worldwide. This surge in cooling demand is placing a considerable strain on electricity grids, particularly in major economies like India, China, and the United States.
In 2024, which was the hottest year on record, extreme heat events in these three countries significantly boosted A/C usage. In China, A/C use doubled the growth in electricity demand during August and September compared to the previous year, contributing 31 percent of the total increase in electricity demand from April to September. In the United States, A/C accounted for the entire year-on-year increase in demand. To meet this escalating demand, all three nations turned to increased generation from fossil fuels, primarily coal, with the U.S. also utilizing natural gas. China, for instance, saw 59 percent of its annual coal generation growth occur in just August and September.
Beyond these major economies, A/C adoption is also rising in countries where it was previously uncommon, such as Western Europe, due to more frequent heatwaves. Simultaneously, economic growth and urbanization are driving A/C investment in the Global South. While many countries are expanding their renewable energy capacity, the increased demand for cooling from both homes and businesses, alongside the rapid expansion of data centers, could potentially slow the pace of the green transition.
In the United Kingdom, where temperatures exceeded 40°C in July 2022, A/C use is seen as crucial for reducing heat-related deaths, prompting calls for its installation in public spaces. A/C uptake in the UK has doubled to approximately 4 million households. Globally, air conditioning accounts for about 7% of electricity consumption and 3% of carbon emissions. A study estimates that A/C use could more than double by 2050, with a substantial increase in emissions if low-income regions achieve the same access as wealthier ones, potentially adding up to 0.05°C of extra warming.