India's AC Temperature Regulation Plans

On June 27, 2025, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav addressed the implementation of a new air conditioner temperature range in India, indicating that the target range of 20°C to 28°C will not be enforced imminently and will be gradually introduced post-2050. This announcement was made during the India Climate Summit.

Key Points:

• Minister's Statement: Bhupender Yadav mentioned that achieving climate targets should align with national circumstances and adhere to the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).

• National Climate Plan: India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted to the UN emphasize the importance of ensuring energy access for its population.

• Current Air Conditioner Settings: Most air conditioners in India are typically set between 20°C and 21°C. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) recommends an optimal setting of 24 to 25°C to improve energy efficiency, stating that rising the thermostat by one degree can save approximately 6% of electricity, and adjusting it from 20°C to 24°C could save up to 24%.

• Expected Growth in AC Usage: India is seeing an annual addition of 10-15 million new air conditioners, with predictions of 130 million to150 million more over the next decade. Without policy intervention, demand from ACs alone could reach 120 GW by 2030 and 180 GW by 2035, becoming nearly 30% of the country's projected total energy demand, as per a study by the India Energy and Climate Center (IECC) at the University of California, Berkeley.

• Impact of Rising Temperatures: The summer of 2024 witnessed a surge of 40%-50% in room air conditioner sales due to extreme temperatures. The household sector's electricity consumption has also risen from 22% in 2012-13 to 25% in 2022-23, largely attributed to economic growth and increased demand for cooling solutions.

• Future Outlook: A study from the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development forecasts that in a scenario where global temperatures rise by two degrees Celsius, India's demand for cooling will surpass that of major nations like China, Nigeria, and the U.S., owing to its large population and rising temperatures.

Implications:

• Energy Policy: The phased implementation of the air conditioner temperature policy indicates a cautious approach to energy management amid increasing electricity demand and potential climate challenges.
• Economic Savings: Improving energy efficiency in air conditioning could yield substantial economic benefits, estimated at ₹2.2 lakh crore ($26 billion) over the next decade.
• Environmental Responsibility: The emphasis on the CBDR-RC principle underlines India's commitment to combat climate change while considering its developmental aspirations.

This situation reflects the complexities of balancing energy needs, climate action, and economic growth in a rapidly developing nation like India.