As the climate warms across the Sahel region, households increasingly turn to mechanical air conditioning for cooling. In Burkina Faso, low-cost and inefficient air conditioning units are commonly sold and installed to provide much-needed respite from the heat. The demand for mechanical cooling is growing in the country, linked to increasing urbanisation: 32% in 2018, forecast to reach 35% by 2026, and real estate sector development (7.5% per year). Complemented by the increasing coverage of the electricity grid, the number of households with air-conditioners are increasing.

The Government of Burkina Faso is committed to reduce energy demand and enhance energy efficiency in the housing sector. Through this project, the Government aims to reduce GHG emissions from cooling of the residential housing sector. This will be achieved through implementation of architectural and structural solutions in the National Housing Program for 40,000 Housing Units, with the potential to scale up the solutions in housing developments across the country. Ultimately the project will serve as a reference for the Sahel region, with other countries in the region sharing a similar context and experience common challenges.

Objectives: The project aims to contribute to the achievement of the Burkina Faso’s NDC targets of GHGs reduction. It will enable nationwide adoption of energy-efficiency measures and technologies for cooling in low-cost housing.

Outcomes: The Project will contribute to the following outcomes:

1. Improved ease of implementing energy-efficient cooling.
2. Strengthened capacity to implement energy-efficient cooling with cost-effective and local solutions.
3. Increased demand for efficient cooling in housing.

Impact: The annual expected emission reductions will begin at 3,797 tCO2e/annum, reaching 37,968 tCO2e/annum at the end 10 years, achieving a total of approximately 208,824 tCO2e over this period, at an average of 18,984 tCO2e/10 years period.