Lok Sabha Question No. 1795 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-27
Subject: Reduction in Use of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: JANAK RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1795

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2018

## Reduction in Use of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons

1795. SHRI JANAK RAM:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  proposes  to bring a legislation to ensure that air conditioners in buildings, commercial  places and airports are maintained at predetermined temperatures;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether such legislation has been successfully implemented in Japan and European countries and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  such  a  measure  is  likely  to  reduce  the  use  of  Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs) and if so, the details thereof along with the other steps taken/being taken by the Government for reducing use of HFCs in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (d):  No Madam. However, the Government is mindful of international developments on the  subject.  The  Bureau  of  Energy  Efficiency,  under  the  guidance  of  Ministry  of  Power  has issued voluntary guidelines recommending that Air-conditioners in Buildings, commercial places and Airports may be maintained between 24 to 25 degree Celsius with appropriate humidity and airflow with an aim to conserve energy without compromising comfort conditions.

As  per  reports,  Japan  had  launched  a  campaign  in  2005  encouraging  business  and  public  in general  to  preset  air  conditioners  at  28  ˚C  during  summers,  in  order  to  reduce  energy consumption. More recently, an action plan has been developed in 2016 that requires presetting of air conditioners in Government buildings in Japan. Surveys have been conducted in Japan on the impact of the campaign, it emerged that majority of the respondents were aware about the campaign. In addition, China has also prescribed air-conditioning temperature control standard for public buildings.  It is  gathered that South Korea and United Kingdomalso initiated similar campaigns.  There  are  no  available  reports  for  regulation  on  presetting  of  temperature  for  air conditioners in Europe.

Reduction in cooling requirement has a relationship with the quantity of refrigerant used such as Hydrochlorofluorocarbons  (HCFCs)  in  air-conditioning  equipment.  However,  pre-setting  of higher indoor/room temperature in air conditioners is directly related with reduction in energy consumption.

India is phasing out production and consumption of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as per the Montreal Protocol schedulewith complete phase out in 2030 and a service tail of 2.5 % till 2040.  In  HCFC  Phase  out  Management  Plan  (HPMP)  India  has  not  only  met  the  compliance obligations of the Montreal Protocol but exceeded the phase out targets through a series of policy measure regulations, systematic technology conversions in the Industry, technical assistance and awareness generation. The ongoing HPMP Stage II would result in phasing out of 60 % of the HCFCs by 1.1.2023, against the target of 35 % phase out in 2020 and 65 % phase out in 2025.

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