Article:
Union Government Gives Nod to Kigali Amendment
The Indian Union Government recently approved the ratification of the Kigali Amendment, a major step towards mitigating climate change. This decision follows in the footsteps of the United States and China, the top producers and consumers of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). As of the end of July 2021, the Kigali Amendment had already been ratified by 122 countries.
Diverse Phase-Out Strategies
The US, China, and India, despite being in separate groups of nations, have undertaken their phase-out schedules for their respective HFC uses and are set to replace them with climate-friendly substitutes. India’s plan involves lessening its HFC use by 80% by 2047. In contrast, China and the US aim to achieve this target by 2045 and 2034 respectively. India’s methodical phasedown will occur in four steps starting from 2032, ensuring an incremental reduction of 10% in 2032, 20% in 2037, 30% in 2042, and finally 80% by 2047. To ensure compliance with the Kigali Amendment, amendments to the current Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules will be made by mid-2024.
Tracing the Roots: Montreal Protocol and Its Evolution
Introduced in 1989, the Montreal Protocol is intended to protect the earth from damaging Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODSs), such as ChloroFluoroCarbons (CFCs), primarily used in the air-conditioning and refrigeration industries. Though not a climate agreement per se, this protocol was a significant step in environmental protection.
The original framework of the Montreal Protocol enabled the replacement of CFCs with HFCs to prevent ozone layer depletion. However, it was soon discovered that these HFCs were potent contributors to Global Warming, leading to the inclusion of elimination of HFCs under the Kigali Amendment in 2016.
Kigali Amendment: Focusing on Climate Change Mitigation
The Kigali Amendment seeks to phase-down HFCs by cutting down their production and consumption. The ultimate objective is to achieve an 80% reduction in HFC consumption by 2047. While non-ozone depleting, HFCs are robust greenhouse gases currently used as HCFCs and CFCs replacements in various industries like air conditioning, refrigeration, and foam insulation.
Under the amendment, developed countries began reducing HFC consumption in 2019. Most developing nations, India included, will freeze consumption in 2028. The amendment also offers financial assistance to certain countries, aiding their transition towards eco-friendly alternatives.
The Impact and Significance of the Change
This landmark action is critical for achieving the target of restricting global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial times, as highlighted by a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The collective action aims to prevent emissions equivalent to up to 105 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. This will help avoid up to 0.5-degree Celsius of global temperature rise by 2100 while continuing to protect the ozone layer.
The Montreal Protocol has already proven to be more effective than many climate change instruments, phasing out 98.6% of ozone-depleting substances.
India’s Contribution and Benefits
India, one of the first nations to launch a cooling action plan in 2019, has successfully met the phase-out targets of all Ozone Depleting Substances as per the Montreal Protocol schedule. This plan focuses on reducing cooling demand, improving energy efficiency, and transitioning towards better technology over a 20-year horizon.
Ratifying the Kigali Amendment signifies that India is prepared to compete in the market for low-Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants. This decision will stimulate domestic manufacturing, create jobs, spur innovation, attract international investments, and help India achieve its climate change mitigation goals and cooling commitments.
In summary, this ratification puts India among a small group of countries on track to meet their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.