Cabinet approves Ratification of Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol

What is the News?

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer for phase down of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

About Kigali Amendment

1. The Kigali agreement is an amendment to the Montreal Protocol. It aims to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by curbing both their production and consumption.
2. Target: To achieve over 80% reduction in HFC consumption by 2047 which will curb a global increase of temperature by up to 0.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
3. India: India will complete its phase-down of HFCs in four steps from 2032 onwards with a cumulative reduction of 10% in 2032, 20% in 2037, 30% in 2042 and 80% in 2047.

About HFCs

1. HFCs are entirely man-made. They are primarily produced for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning, insulating foams and aerosol propellants, with minor uses as solvents and for fire protection.
2. HFCs were developed to replace stratospheric ozone-depleting substances (ODS) that are currently being phased out under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
3. Though HFCs do not impact the ozone layer, many HFCs are very powerful greenhouse gases and a substantial number are short-lived climate pollutants with a lifetime of between 15 and 29 years in the atmosphere.

Implementation strategy of India to phase out HFCs

1. National strategy for phase down of Hydrofluorocarbons will be developed after required consultation with all the industry stakeholders by 2023.
2. Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules will be amended to allow appropriate control of the production and consumption of Hydrofluorocarbons to ensure compliance with the Kigali Amendment will be done by mid-2024.

Plans by other countries

Different countries have different phase down plans under the Protocol. The developed countries including the US, Canada, west European nations and Japan will reduce HFC use first, followed by China and then by 10 developing countries including India, Iran, Iraq and Pakistan.

Expected Benefits of HFCs Phasedown

• Emission reduction: Hydrofluorocarbons phasedown is expected to prevent the emission of up to 105 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse gases, helping to avoid up to 0.5 degrees Celsius of global temperature rise by 2100, while continuing to protect the ozone layer.
• Scope for domestic manufacturing: There would be scope for domestic manufacturing of equipment as well as alternative non-HFC and low-global warming potential chemicals. In addition, there would be opportunities to promote domestic innovation for new generation alternative refrigerants and related technologies.