CLIMATE, COMFORT AND COOLING IN A CHANGING GLOBAL CLIMATE

摘要

The European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), the promise of Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) and fears about the security of energy supply are all strong drivers that mean industry and Government are already tackling the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and hence the way we use energy in our buildings. These drivers all have a common theme in a building context; they all place a much greater emphasis on designing low carbon emission buildings and services in order to help mitigate the effects of climate change. Air conditioning has been marked out for particular scrutiny by current and forthcoming legislation due to its perceived high energy consumption and, hence, carbon emissions associated with its use. Emissions which are rising as more buildings become air conditioned1. Increased demand for air conditioning is apparently being driven by greater expectations of thermal comfort and perceived productivity benefits to business and air quality issues, but this demand combined with the relatively low current market penetration levels means that the potential growth in carbon emissions from air conditioning could threaten Government targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.