Kigali Amendment at 10 Years: Advancing Sustainable Cooling in India

Context

The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol completed ten years on October 15, 2026. Its objective of phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) highlights the importance of climate-friendly cooling technologies as India faces rising demand for air-conditioning and refrigeration.

Understanding the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment

• Montreal Protocol (1987): An international environmental agreement designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances.
• Need for the Kigali Amendment: HFCs were introduced as alternatives to ozone-depleting chemicals. However, despite being safer for the ozone layer, many HFCs have a high global warming potential.
• Adoption and implementation: Adopted in Rwanda on October 15, 2016, the Kigali Amendment entered into force in January 2019.
• Core objective: It establishes binding schedules to reduce HFC production and consumption, with differentiated timelines for developing countries.
• Global significance: The amendment could prevent up to 0.5°C of global warming by 2100 and complements the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Why Does Sustainable Cooling Matter for India?

• Growing electricity demand: Cooling accounts for slightly more than 10% of India’s annual electricity demand. Air-conditioners can consume a substantial share of electricity during hot summer nights.
• Climate impact: HFC leakage contributes directly to global warming, while electricity-intensive cooling increases emissions when powered by fossil fuels.
• Economic advantages: Efficient cooling appliances reduce electricity bills and help limit the need for additional power-generation capacity.
• Industrial competitiveness: Transitioning to efficient equipment and climate-friendly refrigerants can help Indian manufacturers comply with evolving environmental standards and remain competitive.
• Public welfare: Affordable, energy-efficient cooling is increasingly important for human health, productivity and resilience during extreme heat.

India’s Commitments under the Kigali Amendment

India follows a phased schedule for controlling HFC production and consumption.

Year	Target
2028	Freeze HFC production and consumption at the agreed baseline
2032	Reduce HFC production and consumption by 10% below the baseline
2047	Achieve an 85% reduction below the baseline

These milestones require India to balance its international climate commitments with the needs of households, businesses and industries experiencing growing cooling demand.

Role of the Multilateral Fund

Established under the Montreal Protocol in 1990 and operational since 1991, the Multilateral Fund supports developing countries in meeting their treaty obligations.

• Financial assistance: Developed countries contribute resources to cover agreed additional costs associated with compliance.
• Technology transfer: Funding supports the adoption of environmentally sound technologies and alternative refrigerants.
• Climate benefits: The Fund estimates that its activities helped developing countries avoid approximately 50 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions between 1995 and 2021.
• Relevance for India: Financial and technical assistance can help domestic manufacturers modernise production facilities without placing excessive costs on consumers.

Lessons from the Montreal Protocol’s Success

• Clearly defined targets: Binding phase-out and phase-down schedules provide predictability for governments and industries.
• Scientific assessment: Expert evaluations of chemicals, technologies and available alternatives help guide policy decisions.
• Differentiated responsibilities: Developing countries receive longer compliance periods and financial support, recognising differences in economic and technological capacity.
• Continuous improvement: The treaty has evolved as scientific knowledge and technological alternatives have improved.
• Adaptive governance: Its incremental approach allows stronger controls to be introduced without rebuilding the entire institutional framework.

The Montreal Protocol’s experience also offers lessons for addressing other climate pollutants through international cooperation and measurable commitments.

Montreal Protocol and Short-Lived Climate Pollutants

Short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) contribute significantly to warming but remain in the atmosphere for shorter periods than carbon dioxide.

• Methane: Released through agriculture, waste management and oil and gas operations.
• Black carbon: Produced by incomplete combustion of fuels, including biomass and fossil fuels.
• Hydrofluorocarbons: Used in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.
• Tropospheric ozone: A ground-level pollutant formed through chemical reactions involving air pollutants in sunlight.

The Montreal Protocol’s combination of scientific assessment, international cooperation and binding controls provides a useful model for reducing these emissions. In India, action must also address agricultural methane, black carbon and cleaner household and industrial energy use while protecting livelihoods.

Major Challenges in Implementing the Kigali Amendment

• Rapidly increasing cooling needs: Rising temperatures, urbanisation and higher incomes may increase air-conditioner ownership and electricity consumption.
• High transition costs: Manufacturers need investment to redesign equipment, modify production lines and adopt alternative refrigerants.
• Technical and safety constraints: Some low-global-warming-potential refrigerants require specialised handling, suitable equipment designs and trained technicians.
• Refrigerant leakage: Poor maintenance, servicing practices and improper disposal of old equipment can release HFCs into the atmosphere.
• Energy efficiency concerns: Switching refrigerants alone will not deliver the full climate benefit if appliances remain inefficient.
• Financing and implementation gaps: Insufficient financial assistance, technical capacity and wider international participation could slow progress.

Way Forward: Building a Sustainable Cooling Ecosystem

• Improve appliance efficiency: Strengthen energy-performance standards and promote high-efficiency air-conditioners, refrigerators and commercial cooling systems.
• Adopt climate-friendly refrigerants: Support research, domestic manufacturing and the safe adoption of alternatives with lower global warming potential.
• Strengthen refrigerant management: Establish effective systems for refrigerant recovery, recycling, reuse and safe destruction at the end of equipment life.
• Support domestic industries: Provide accessible finance, technical training and technology-transfer mechanisms to help small and medium-sized manufacturers transition.
• Enforce market standards: Ensure that imported and domestically produced appliances comply with energy-efficiency and environmental requirements.
• Promote passive cooling: Encourage building insulation, reflective roofs, natural ventilation, urban green spaces and climate-responsive architecture to reduce dependence on mechanical cooling.
• Increase consumer awareness: Highlight lifetime electricity costs, efficient appliance choices and proper servicing rather than focusing solely on initial purchase prices.
• Strengthen international cooperation: Expand technical assistance, research partnerships and financial support for developing countries.

Conclusion

The Kigali Amendment demonstrates how binding international commitments, scientific evidence and financial cooperation can address global environmental challenges. For India, its success will depend on integrating efficient appliances, low-impact refrigerants, responsible equipment management and passive cooling solutions. A sustainable cooling transition can simultaneously support climate goals, energy security, industrial development and public welfare.

Source : The Indian Express