- Why in news
- On 20 April 2026, Dr Jitendra Singh told the Global Heat and Cooling Forum that the India Cooling Action Plan is already implemented in over 250 cities, and urged responsible cooling use.
- What it is
- The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) is a national plan to provide sustainable cooling across sectors while cutting the energy and climate cost of cooling. It was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2019. It looks at space cooling, refrigeration, transport air conditioning and the refrigerants used.
- Reach claimed
- The Minister said the plan is already implemented in over 250 cities.
- Forum
- The Global Heat and Cooling Forum was organised with DST, NDMA, CDRI, NRDC and other partners.
- Customised approach
- The Minister argued that India's mix of extreme heat and extreme cold needs customised strategies, not uniform global models.
- Equity and use
- He called for equitable access to cooling and responsible consumption, such as optimal temperature settings, to cut energy demand.
- Launching ministry
- ICAP was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Don’t confuse with ICAP vs Kigali Amendment: ICAP is a domestic national plan on cooling demand. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is an international treaty to phase down HFC refrigerants.
Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.
Why it matters
- Cooling demand is rising with heat, so planning it cuts energy use and emissions.
- Links heat, public health and energy policy, and supports equitable access to cooling.
Problems
- Excess air conditioning raises energy demand and adds to urban heat.
- Unequal access to cooling can deepen social inequality.
Way forward
- Promote India-specific research linking climate science with health systems.
- Pair efficient, passive and low-cost cooling with responsible use and fair access.
Put in your answer
ICAP reach: Cite the claim of implementation in over 250 cities as an example of national cooling planning.
No close past question yet.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A lasting climate-policy plan, but this release is a speech with few new facts for a statement.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.