Indian Cabinet approves ratification of Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol

The Indian Cabinet has approved the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol for phase down of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), according to a press release dated August 18, 2021, from the Press Information Bureau of India. India has set a target to develop a national strategy for phase down of HFCs after required consultations with all stakeholders by 2023. The existing Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules will also be amended to ensure compliance with the Kigali Amendment. When ratified, India plans to make cumulative reductions of 10% in 2032, 20% in 2037, 30% in 2042, and 85% in 2047. Note that India has successfully achieved its phase down targets for all the Ozone Depleting Substances in accordance with the schedule of Montreal Protocol.

Implementation strategy and targets

• A national strategy for the phase down of HFCs, in line with the phase down schedule applicable to India, will be developed by 2023 with required consultations with all stakeholders.
• Amend the existing Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules to allow appropriate production and consumption of HFCs to ensure compliance with the Kigali Amendment.

Major Impact, including employment generation potential

• The phase down of HFCs is expected to prevent the emission of up to 105 million tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases, helping to avoid global temperature increase of up to 0.5 degrees Celsius by 2100, while continuing to protect the ozone layer.
• Improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by the implementation of HFCs phase down based on the Kigali Amendment through adopting energy-efficient technologies with low global warming potential.
• The implementation of the phase down of HFCs is expected to have synergies with the ongoing programs and schemes of the Government of India with the objective to maximize the economic and social benefits in addition to the environmental benefits.
• There would be opportunities to promote domestic innovation for new alternative refrigerants and related technologies to enable the industry to make a transition to alternatives with lower global warming potential.

India became a party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer on June 19, 1992, and has since ratified the amendments to the Montreal Protocol. With the Cabinet decision this time, India will ratify the Kigali Amendment for phase down of HFCs. When ratified, India plans to make cumulative reductions of 10% in 2032, 20% in 2037, 30% in 2042, and 85% in 2047. Also, India has successfully achieved its phase down targets for all the Ozone Depleting Substances in accordance with the Montreal Protocol schedule.

The original text of the press release can be viewed at the following URL.
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1746946