Govt initiates labelling programme for air conditioners

The government has initiated the Standards and Labelling programme in order to enhance energy efficiency of air conditioners (to tackle climate change), the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

"The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has initiated the Standards and Labelling Programme in order to enhace energy efficiency of air conditioners," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said in reply to a written question.

The fossil fuel burnt, if any, to produce electricity for running the air conditioners only play an indirect role in affecting the atmosphere, he added.

Quoting data from Refrigeration Air-conditioning Manufacturing Association (RAMA), Ramesh said the total number of room air-conditioners is estimated to be approximately 10 million.

Pointing out that India is subject to a large degree of climate variability, the Minister said as per studies conducted by India Meteorological Department (IMD) the annual mean temperature for the country as a whole has risen by 0.52 degrees Celsius in the past 107 years since 1901.

"India has released the National Action Plan on Climate Change to evolve a strategy that aims at adapting to climate change and enhancing the ecological sustainability of our development path," Ramesh added.