# Assam Introduces New Policy Framework To Tackle Growing Energy Needs For Cooling By 2040 > Assam has launched its State Cooling Action Plan to address rising temperature challenges and regulate the projected doubling of cooling-related electricity demand by 2040. **Type:** article · **Category:** Assam · **Published:** 2026-09-16 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/assam/assam-ne-kulinga-ke-lie-barhati-bijali-ki-manga-se-nipatane-ke-lie-naya-ekshana-plana-kiya-loncha-32680 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Assam News, State Cooling Action Plan, Jayanta Mallabaruah, Environmental Conservation, Electricity Demand, Amrit Brikshya Andolan In a significant step toward addressing climate change and managing energy needs, Assam has rolled out its comprehensive State Cooling Action Plan (ACAP). This policy roadmap is designed to address the state's surging requirements for cooling solutions while simultaneously focusing on energy conservation, ecological preservation, and the implementation of eco-friendly cooling systems. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah officially unveiled the initiative during the state-level World Ozone Day 2026 celebrations held at the Assam Administrative Staff College, located in Khanapara, Guwahati. The launch event was themed "Global Action for a Cooler Planet," highlighting the global urgency of regional environmental strategies. ## A Pioneer Plan Across Four Priority Sectors By introducing the ACAP, Assam has secured a spot among the pioneering states in India to formulate a fully integrated, state-level cooling roadmap. This strategic framework is uniquely structured to target four key sectors that are crucial to the state's development: buildings, the cold chain network, industrial operations, and transportation systems. The plan is a localized adaptation of the national-level India Cooling Action Plan, tailored specifically to meet the geographical, social, and economic realities of Assam. The policy framework was developed by the Assam Climate Change Management Society (ACCMS), working in close technical collaboration with WRI India, a global research organization. ## Electricity Demand Projected to More Than Double by 2040 The critical need for such a plan is underscored by staggering projections regarding Assam's future electricity requirements. According to the data compiled in the ACAP document, the state's power demand specifically linked to cooling technologies is set to experience a dramatic rise over the next decade and a half. By the year 2040, this cooling-related power consumption is projected to more than double, climbing from its baseline of 3,576 GWh to an estimated 8,445 GWh. To prevent this surge from overwhelming the power grid and exacerbating environmental degradation, the plan outlines several core strategies. These include boosting the energy efficiency of appliances, promoting the adoption of low-carbon and climate-friendly cooling technologies, ensuring the highly responsible and regulated management of chemical refrigerants, and establishing robust coordination mechanisms across various state government departments. ## Balancing Technical Innovation with Ecological Protection During his address at the launch event, Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah spoke extensively about the delicate balance between rapid developmental progress and environmental preservation. He remarked that the introduction of the ACAP is a vital foundational step to prepare the state for its inevitable future requirements. However, the Minister stressed that the true success of this policy lies in its rigorous implementation, which demands synchronized action across multiple administrative sectors and departments. In addition to advanced technology, the Minister strongly advocated for nature-based cooling methods. He argued that expanding green canopies and protecting Assam's existing natural ecosystems are just as crucial as installing energy-efficient machines. According to the Minister, large-scale afforestation and conservation projects must go hand-in-hand with technological innovations to effectively counter rising local temperatures and ensure liveable conditions for future generations. ## Promoting Citizen Engagement and Community Planting Initiatives The Minister also linked the cooling plan to Assam's ongoing environmental campaigns, specifically pointing to the Amrit Brikshya Andolan and the Brikshya Bandhu initiatives. These flagship programs represent massive public tree-planting campaigns that mobilize a diverse coalition of citizens. This coalition includes school and college students, self-help groups, members of the Forest Protection Force, and various civil society organizations. The Minister noted that by actively involving younger demographics and local communities in planting and maintaining trees, the state fosters a deeper sense of ecological responsibility, which ultimately improves the long-term survival rates of the newly planted saplings. He urged citizens to extend these green practices into their homes and offices by choosing energy-efficient devices. ## International Milestone Commemorations and Event Dignitaries The event also served as an occasion to commemorate international milestones in ozone layer protection, marking the successful implementation of the Montreal Protocol and celebrating a decade of the Kigali Amendment. The gathering in Guwahati was attended by a host of senior administrative and environmental officials. Among the prominent dignitaries present were Special Chief Secretary Mahendra Kumar Yadava, and Sandeep Kumar, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force for Assam. They were joined by Dr Om Prakash, Commissioner and Secretary of the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Dr Vinay Gupta, PCCF (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden; Dr Satyendra Singh, CEO of ACCMS; and Bharath Jairaj, the Executive Program Director for Energy at WRI India. The launch also saw participation from researchers, academic experts, industry delegates, students, and active environmental stakeholders. ## What this means for you This policy directly impacts how energy resources and temperatures will be managed in Northeast India over the coming decades. - **Across India:** Other states are likely to replicate Assam's localized approach to building sustainable urban cooling plans, accelerating the national carbon emission reduction goals. - **In Assam:** Citizens can expect future municipal building codes to enforce energy-efficient construction, potentially reducing domestic electricity bills as smart cooling becomes standardized. - **For Businesses:** Small and large industries, along with cold-storage operators, must transition to eco-friendly refrigerants, which will require adjusting operational equipment before the 2040 deadline. - **For Local Communities:** Public participation in massive afforestation campaigns like the Amrit Brikshya Andolan will increase, offering direct opportunities for citizens to actively lower local neighborhood temperatures. ## Why this happened The formulation of the Assam State Cooling Action Plan was prompted by a combination of rapid urbanization, rising regional temperatures, and projected stress on the state's power infrastructure. - **Rising Power Demand:** The primary catalyst was the projection that cooling-related electricity demand in Assam will more than double from 3,576 GWh to 8,445 GWh by 2040, necessitating immediate energy efficiency measures. - **National Policy Mandate:** This localized plan was created to align state-level efforts with the India Cooling Action Plan, bridging national environmental targets with specific regional requirements. - **International Agreements:** The plan also aligns with global climate targets, specifically marking the ongoing commitments under the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment to phase down harmful ozone-depleting substances. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. What is the Assam State Cooling Action Plan (ACAP)? It is a state-level policy framework aimed at managing growing cooling needs through energy efficiency, eco-friendly technologies, and responsible refrigerant management. ### 2. Which priority sectors are covered under ACAP? The plan covers four main sectors: buildings, cold chains, industries, and transport. ### 3. How much is Assam's cooling-related electricity demand expected to increase by 2040? The demand is projected to more than double, increasing from 3,576 GWh to 8,445 GWh. ### 4. Who collaborated to develop this action plan? It was prepared by the Assam Climate Change Management Society in technical collaboration with WRI India. ### 5. What role do nature-based solutions play in this plan? The plan emphasizes expanding green cover and protecting natural ecosystems alongside technological cooling systems to lower regional temperatures. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. 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