The Kigali Agreement Timeline: A Comprehensive Look at the Path to HFC Phase-down
In October 2016, countries around the world came together to sign the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The Kigali Amendment aims to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), chemicals widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems that are known to contribute significantly to global warming. The agreement is a significant step forward in the fight against climate change and has been described as one of the most important international agreements in recent times. In this article, we take a comprehensive look at the Kigali Agreement timeline and track the progress of the initiative.
2014: UN Climate Summit Puts Focus on HFCs
The United Nations Climate Summit in September 2014 elevated the importance of reducing HFCs, which had not been included in previous international climate agreements. The summit called for action to reduce HFCs and recognized that their use was rapidly increasing, posing a threat to global efforts to tackle climate change.
2015: Paris Agreement Includes HFC Reductions
In December 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed, committing countries to take action to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. The agreement also recognized the need to reduce HFCs as a crucial part of achieving the target. The Kigali Amendment became a concrete example of how countries could take meaningful action to deliver on the Paris Agreement.
2016: Kigali Agreement Negotiations and Signing
The Kigali Amendment was negotiated in Kigali, Rwanda in October 2016 and was signed by 197 countries. The agreement set out a timeline for the phase-down of HFCs and established a framework for implementing the phase-down. Developed countries agreed to begin the phase-down in 2019, with a goal of reducing HFC consumption by 85% by 2036. Developing countries, including China and India, agreed to a later start date in 2024, with a goal of reducing consumption by 80% by 2045.
2018: Ratification by 20 Countries Triggers Entry into Force
The Kigali Amendment required ratification by at least 20 countries before it could come into force. In November 2018, this milestone was reached, and the agreement entered into force on January 1, 2019. The first countries to ratify the agreement were Sweden, Rwanda, Mali, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Norway, Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, and the European Union.
2021: Implementation and Progress
As of 2021, the implementation of the Kigali Agreement is ongoing, with countries working to meet their phase-down targets. The United Nations Environment Programme reports that the Kigali Amendment is expected to avoid up to 0.4°C of global warming by the end of the century, making it one of the most significant contributions to the Paris Agreement`s goals.
Conclusion
The Kigali Agreement timeline has been a long but productive one, with countries coming together to tackle the urgent threat of global warming caused by HFCs. The Kigali Agreement`s implementation is ongoing, and progress is being made towards meeting the phase-down targets. As the world continues to prioritize climate action, the Kigali Amendment is a crucial example of how international cooperation can lead to meaningful change.