Passive cooling
Environmental risk management - Conference of the Parties - emissions - greenhouse gases.
Author: Charitarth Sindhu', Environmental Sustainability & ESG Consultant.
Passive cooling techniques are a more sustainable alternative to mechanical cooling.
The global cooling industry plays a pivotal role in mitigating heat stress, fostering human comfort, minimizing food loss, improving healthcare accessibility, and ensuring efficient energy transmission.
Historically, these services have primarily relied on mechanical cooling methods, also known as active cooling mechanisms.
The underlying principle involves using liquid coolants to actively dissipate heat energy.
This process is based on the concept that heat energy is absorbed when a liquid evaporates and released when a vapour condenses.
Among the commonly used coolants, HFCs found in air conditioners, refrigerators, and aerosol cans pose significant environmental risks.
Recognizing the adverse environmental effects of mechanical cooling methods and committed to achieving net-zero emissions from cooling activities by 2050, 67 nations and various non-state entities signed the Global Cooling Pledge at COP28.
This reduction is envisioned through the adoption of passive cooling methods.
Passive cooling methods regulate building temperatures without relying on active mechanical systems.
For instance, shading techniques block direct sunlight and reduce solar heat gain using architectural elements like awnings, overhangs, or external blinds.
Ventilation, another crucial aspect, accelerates air circulation to expel heat from the building.
Insulation serves as a thermal barrier, reducing heat transfer between the interior and exterior of a structure.
Properly placed insulation materials in walls, roofs, and floors contribute to maintaining a stable indoor temperature by minimizing heat exchange.
Green roofs, an eco-friendly approach, involve cultivating vegetation on building rooftops, providing insulation and contributing to cooling through evapotranspiration, where plants release moisture into the air.
Reflective surfaces, including cool roof coatings or materials with high solar reflectance, bounce back sunlight and reduce heat absorption.
A significant aspect for the 2050 agenda involves reintroducing nature into urban settings through the incorporation of green spaces, trees, and landscaping.
These elements create a more natural and cooler environment while enhancing overall well-being.
The common theme among passive cooling methods lies in their promotion of air movement.
Efficient air circulation is vital for expelling heat from buildings and bringing in cooler external air.
This not only regulates indoor temperatures but also aids in cooling occupants by promoting the evaporation of perspiration.
With their comprehensive approach, passive cooling methods offer sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for maintaining comfortable living and working environments.
See also
- Climate change
- Climate risk
- Conference of the Parties
- Conference of the Parties - historical milestones
- Emissions
- Global Cooling Pledge
- Greenhouse gas
- Hydrocarbons
- Net zero
- Paris Agreement
- Risk management
- Super pollutants
- Transition
- Transparency
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
