A new catalyst for environmental action
Kigali Sim is redefining what is possible through use of latest IT tools for environmental policy and decision-making worldwide. The free and open-source modelling tool provides unprecedented analytical and computing power for understanding the consumption trends and possible policy options for regulating the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by expanding access to advanced scenario analysis and enabling more efficient, timely decision-making. To be debuted at the 97th meeting of the Executive Committee, Kigali Sim was co-developed by the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Center for Data Science and Environment at the University of California, Berkeley, in close partnership with the Multilateral Fund, United Nations delegates and supporting organizations.
From complexity to clarity: what makes Kigali Sim different
Until now, modelling the impacts of policy interventions on HFC phase-down in refrigeration, air-conditioning and the food sector required specialist programming skills and proprietary software. Kigali Sim removes these barriers, offering advanced simulation capabilities on a web browser or desktop application and a user-friendly interface that requires no coding experience, enabling policymakers and a broader community of users to run country-specific analyses, offering them flexibility for considering multiple policy options and making respective projections.
Users can input national data, model the outcomes of different policy approaches, and compare projected effects on emissions, consumption and equipment across multiple scenarios. An optional artificial intelligence (AI) assistant streamlines data import, working with information from diverse formats and sources. Through simple questions and answers, AI helps users explore policy ideas, providing rapid and tailored analysis while maintaining their data privacy. What once took days can now be accomplished in hours, facilitating rapid, evidence-based decision-making.
Empowering HFC phasedown in Article 5 countries
The Multilateral Fund is central to the accessibility that defines Kigali Sim. Reducing HFCs presents complex technical and regulatory challenges, further complicated by limited access to high-quality analytical tools in many developing nations. Kigali Sim bridges this gap, responding to policy needs and building capacity in Article 5 countries. By lowering barriers to advanced modelling, the Fund and its partners empower the development of strategies that are both ambitious and achievable, underpinned by robust evidence and analysis.
Looking ahead: scaling impact and fostering collaboration
Kigali Sim arrives at a pivotal moment for international environmental policy. The need for democratic access to high-quality modelling has never been greater. With its user-friendly design, support for rapid scenario testing and AI-powered features, the tool enables more countries to take informed action on their Montreal Protocol commitments. Kigali Sim stands as a clear example of how partnership and innovation can close gaps and accelerate progress towards the world’s environmental and climate objectives.