About
- The Kigali Amendment is an amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 2016 at Kigali, Rwanda, to phase down Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) because of their high Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Key Objective
- Phase down the production and consumption of HFCs.
- Promote low-GWP alternatives.
- Encourage energy-efficient refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.
- Reduce future greenhouse-gas emissions from the cooling sector.
- It is a phasedown, not an immediate complete phase-out.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
| Adopted | 2016 |
| Place | Kigali, Rwanda |
| Entered into force | 1 January 2019 |
| Parent agreement | Montreal Protocol |
| Target substances | HFCs |
| Main concern | Global warming |
| Approach | Phasedown |
| Long-term goal | Reduce HFC consumption by more than 80% |
India and Kigali Amendment
- India ratified the Kigali Amendment in 2021.
- India follows a gradual phasedown schedule for HFCs.
- The transition is particularly important for India’s refrigeration and air-conditioning sector.
Conclusion:
- The Kigali Amendment strengthens the Montreal Protocol by addressing the climate impact of HFCs while promoting a transition towards cleaner and more energy-efficient cooling technologies.
| This concept has been elaborately discussed in the following article – Montreal Protocol and the Road to Ozone Recovery |