Championing a cooler future: how the Multilateral Fund empowers the Kigali Amendment

In the global battle against climate change, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol plays a crucial role, driving universal efforts to reduce the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—a potent class of greenhouse gases. Through legally binding national targets and timelines, the amendment aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement, aiming to prevent a global temperature rise of up to 0.5°C by 2100. Central to this endeavor, the Multilateral Fund assists developing (Article 5) countries in meeting their phasedown obligations through financial assistance, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring that every country has the means to contribute to a more sustainable, HFC-free future. 

The MLF at work: innovations and advances in developing countries

Projects spearheaded by the Multilateral Fund have made groundbreaking advancements in phasing down HFCs in Article 5 countries. In 2023, 24 Kigali HFC Implementation Plans (KIPs) were approved, mobilizing a total of US$53,640,897 to foster the shift towards eco-friendly alternatives and setting a precedent for future investments.

Cameroon’s pioneering initiative, which marks Africa's first full HFC phase-down project, aims for a 30% HFC reduction by 2030. Stage I of the country’s KIP includes the creation of two new centres of excellence for training technicians in the use of lower-Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants and the establishment of technical associations in the mobile air-conditioning sector. In India, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Limited is set to redesign air-conditioning systems for higher efficiency with funding from MLF. The project foresees a 70% transition to sustainable AC compressors by 2028, exemplifying how innovation can transform the industrial sector and empower an energy-efficient future. 

With the MLF’s support, Jordan and Malaysia are also setting ambitious targets and comprehensive plans to meet their Kigali Amendment obligations. Jordan's strategy to slash baseline HFC consumption by 54% by 2030 is complemented by a government-backed prohibition on HFC-based refrigerators, supported by policies, training programs, technical assistance, and awareness campaigns. Similarly, Malaysia's roadmap for HFC phase-down includes strategic policy and regulatory changes, including a series of bans on high-GWP HFCs used in fire suppression systems, domestic and commercial refrigeration, transport refrigeration, and the mobile air conditioning and servicing sectors.

Towards a sustainable, HFC-free future

Diverse and impactful, these and other collaborative efforts propelled by the Multilateral Fund aim to markedly reduce HFC-reliance in developing countries, contributing significantly to a worldwide decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. These projects and others to come underscore the indispensable role of international cooperation and the proactive endeavors of the Multilateral Fund, shining a light on innovative solutions that steer the world towards a greener, safer future.