As Nigeria's population and access to electricity grow, its cooling sector is undergoing a massive expansion. The country, which has committed to a net-zero emissions target by 2060, faces a significant challenge as demand for residential air conditioners and refrigerators is projected to increase dramatically. By 2050, the stock of AC units is expected to surge to 71.4 million, and refrigerators to 88 million, which could lead to a sevenfold increase in related carbon emissions.
To address this, the report highlights the economic benefits of adopting energy-efficient appliances. A Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis shows that while appliances with a 5-star energy rating have a higher initial price, they are more affordable over their useful lifespan due to significantly lower operational costs. For example, a 5-star refrigerator can save a consumer approximately $312 over an eight-year period compared to a 1-star model.
To accelerate the transition to climate-friendly appliances, the report recommends several key policies and regulations. These include an import ban on second-hand cooling equipment and the implementation of a national rebate program. This "swap-out" scheme would encourage consumers to replace old, inefficient refrigerators with new, energy-efficient models at a subsidized price, supported by a framework for the safe recycling of collected units.
Summarized from the original article published here: UNDP
