Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol: Objectives, India’s Targets 2026

Learn about the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, its HFC phase-down targets, India’s commitments, climate benefits and significance.

Table of Contents

Context

The Kigali Amendment completed 10 years on 15 October 2026, renewing global efforts to reduce hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and limit climate warming.

About the Kigali Amendment

Nature: Legally binding amendment to the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Adopted: 15 October 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda; entered into force on 1 January 2019.
Objective: Gradually reduce global HFC production and consumption by over 80%, avoiding an estimated 0.3–0.5°C of warming by 2100.
Administration: Implemented under the UNEP Ozone Secretariat, with financial and technical support from the Multilateral Fund.

Why Regulate HFCs?

HFCs replaced ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs and HCFCs because they do not damage the ozone layer.
However, HFCs are potent greenhouse gases, with Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) hundreds to thousands of times higher than CO₂.
They are commonly used in air conditioners and refrigeration systems.

Key Features

Differentiated Timelines: Provides separate phase-down schedules for developed and developing countries, allowing developing economies more time to transition.
India’s Commitments: India ratified the amendment in 2021. As an Article 5 Group 2 country, it must freeze its HFC baseline in 2028, reduce consumption by 10% by 2032, and achieve an 85% reduction by 2047.
Phase-Down Approach: Reduces HFC use rather than eliminating it completely, allowing limited use for specialised applications where alternatives may be unsuitable.
Financial and Technical Support: The Multilateral Fund supports developing countries through grants, technology transfer, industrial retrofitting and technician training.
Energy Efficiency: Encourages low-GWP alternatives, including hydrocarbons, hydrofluoroolefins and ammonia, alongside more energy-efficient cooling equipment.

Significance

Climate Mitigation: Helps limit global warming by reducing emissions of potent greenhouse gases.
Energy Savings: More efficient cooling systems can reduce electricity consumption, power demand and household expenses.
India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP): Supports India’s efforts to expand access to sustainable and energy-efficient cooling.