Ghana has officially launched the Green Cooling Programme, a landmark initiative funded by the Klik Foundation that seeks to transform the country’s air conditioning sector and sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Speaking at the launch event, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), stressed the urgency of adopting sustainable cooling solutions as demand for air conditioning continues to rise with population growth and electrification.

“The air conditioning sector accounts for approximately 8% of our national greenhouse gas emissions,” Prof. Klutse noted.

“This project is not just timely, but absolutely critical for our climate goals.”

The Swiss-funded programme, developed under the Paris Agreement framework, is built around three core components, with a focus on financial incentives to accelerate the uptake of green air conditioners.

The project will support the replacement and adoption of up to 150,000 energy-efficient air conditioners that use natural refrigerants such as propane, which have ultra-low global warming potential.

Gunnar Wegner, representing the Sustainable Energy and Climate Cluster at GIZ, emphasised Ghana’s pressing need for cooling solutions:“Ghana is a tropical country experiencing high demand for cooling, which is essential for health, occupational safety, and comfort.

This programme will lay a strong foundation for Ghana’s participation in the global drive towards sustainable development.”

The initiative aims to have 150,000 green split air conditioners installed by 2030, with 5,000 units already being incentivised ahead of final project approval from the governments of Ghana and Switzerland.