Air Conditioners Set to Become India’s Top GHG Emitters by 2024

A recent survey reveals that air conditioning units in India are poised to become the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters in the country by 2024. According to the report by the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology (iFOREST), emissions related to air conditioning, including electricity usage, have reached a staggering 156 megatonnes (Mt) of CO2 equivalent. This figure is comparable to the total emissions produced by all passenger cars in India.

The report highlights that if these trends continue unchecked, emissions from air conditioning could escalate to 329 Mt CO2e by 2035. The findings emphasize that an air conditioner in India, requiring a refrigerant refill every two years, emits as much GHG as a passenger vehicle. Alarmingly, the survey indicates that 40% of air conditioners in the country are refilled annually, a practice that surpasses global standards, which recommend refilling only once every five years.

On September 15, 2025, iFOREST released these findings ahead of World Ozone Day, surveying 3,100 households across seven cities: Chennai, Pune, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi. The report, presented at a workshop titled “The Climate Cost of Air Conditioning,” delves into the rapid growth of air conditioning ownership, significant refrigerant leakage, inadequate servicing practices, and the absence of effective policy measures.

Critical Findings on Air Conditioning Usage

The report anticipates that the number of air conditioners in India will triple to 245 million over the next decade. While consumers demonstrate awareness of energy efficiency, they remain largely uninformed about refrigerants and their environmental implications. Chandra Bhushan, CEO of iFOREST, noted the urgent need for regulatory frameworks to address refrigerant leakage, stating, “We also lack regulations and systems to control refrigerant leakage.”

The survey emphasizes the necessity for India’s Cooling Action Plan, which aims to reduce refrigerant demand by 25–30% by 2037–38. iFOREST suggests that implementing proper lifecycle refrigerant management (LRM) could prevent 500–650 Mt CO2e emissions between 2025 and 2035. This would translate into an economic benefit of $25–33 billion in carbon credits, while also saving consumers an estimated $10 billion in unnecessary refilling costs.

Bhushan further advocated for comprehensive LRM regulations, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for air conditioner manufacturers. This would ensure the recovery, recycling, and safe disposal of refrigerants, similar to regulations in countries such as Canada, Australia, the European Union, China, and Singapore.

Exponential Growth in Air Conditioner Ownership

The survey findings reveal that 80% of households own air conditioners that are less than five years old, with 40% of them being less than two years old. This indicates a rapid increase in air conditioning ownership over the past five years. In terms of unit ownership, 87% of respondents have one unit, while 13% possess two or more.

Moreover, nearly 98% of households own air conditioners rated between 3-star and 5-star, reflecting a high level of consumer awareness regarding energy efficiency. The survey estimates that in 2024, air conditioning units required 32,000 tonnes of refrigerant refills. At an average refilling cost of ₹2,200 (approximately $26.50) per unit, households spent around ₹7,000 crore (around $0.8 billion). This annual cost is projected to quadruple to ₹27,540 crore (approximately $3.1 billion) by 2035.

The findings underscore the urgent need for effective policy measures and practices to mitigate the environmental impact of air conditioning in India. Without significant changes, the nation faces a growth in GHG emissions that could have lasting repercussions on climate change and public health.