Governance & Policy
Kigali Amendment
Definition
The Kigali Amendment is a 2016 amendment to the Montreal Protocol, in force since 2019, that commits parties to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons — refrigerants with high global warming potential — by over eighty percent by mid-century, with differentiated schedules for developed and developing countries.
References
Kigali Amendment text and schedules
Parent treaty context
Overview
What it means
The treaty that fixed the ozone layer was extended to tackle the climate impact of the chemicals that replaced ozone-depleting refrigerants.
How it is used
Cooling and refrigeration industries plan transitions to low-GWP alternatives; policymakers cite it as one of the most effective single climate measures agreed.
Why it matters
Full implementation could avoid a substantial fraction of a degree of warming this century while improving cooling efficiency.