Kigali Amendment at 10: A Decade of Climate Action Through HFC Phase-Down

Why in News?

The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol completes 10 years on 15 October 2026. Adopted in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2016, it aims to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful greenhouse gases widely used in refrigeration and air-conditioning. The amendment entered into force in January 2019 and is expected to prevent up to 0.5°C of global warming by 2100.

About the Kigali Amendment

• Objective: To gradually reduce HFC production and consumption to limit their contribution to global warming.
• Nature: It establishes legally binding phase-down schedules, with longer timelines for developing countries.
• Phase-down, not phase-out: HFCs may continue to be used in limited quantities even after the prescribed reductions.
• Global significance: The amendment complements the Montreal Protocol’s efforts to protect the ozone layer by addressing the climate impact of HFCs.

About Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

HFCs are synthetic chemicals commonly used as refrigerants in air-conditioners, refrigerators and other cooling equipment. They were introduced as alternatives to ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

• Ozone impact: HFCs do not significantly deplete the stratospheric ozone layer.
• Climate impact: Many HFCs have high global warming potential (GWP), ranging from about 12 to 14,000 times that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, depending on the compound.
• Cooling mechanism: Refrigerants absorb heat from an enclosed space and release it elsewhere. When they leak into the atmosphere, they contribute to global warming.

India’s HFC Phase-down Commitments

India ratified the Kigali Amendment in 2021. Its HFC phase-down schedule begins in 2032 and involves four reduction steps.

Year	Cumulative reduction in HFC consumption
2032	10%
2037	20%
2042	30%
2047	85%

These reductions are calculated using the warming impact of the relevant gases, rather than simply their physical quantity.

Cooling and Climate Change

Cooling equipment contributes to global warming in two major ways:

1. Refrigerant leakage: HFCs can escape during equipment operation, servicing or disposal and trap heat in the atmosphere.
2. Electricity consumption: Air-conditioners and refrigerators consume electricity, which can generate greenhouse gas emissions when produced from fossil fuels.

Switching to refrigerants with lower global warming potential can reduce direct emissions, while improving appliance efficiency can reduce electricity consumption and indirect emissions.

Significance of the Kigali Amendment

• Climate change mitigation: The phase-down of HFCs can help limit global temperature rise.
• Ozone protection: It builds on the success of the Montreal Protocol in controlling ozone-depleting substances.
• Sustainable cooling: It encourages the adoption of climate-friendly refrigerants and energy-efficient cooling technologies.
• Technological innovation: Manufacturers may need to redesign equipment when switching refrigerants, creating an opportunity to improve energy efficiency.
• Greater climate benefits: According to estimates by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), combining the HFC transition with improved cooling efficiency could roughly double the climate benefits.

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