Maarg Manthan · Topic 20.10

India’s Commitment to Eliminate HFCs by 2030 (Kigali Agreement)

Environment & Ecology › Protected Areas Lists and Recent Developments in Environment · Topic 20.10

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are man-made gases used in air conditioners, refrigerators, foams, aerosols and fire protection, introduced as substitutes for ozone-depleting chemicals such as CFCs and HCFCs. They do not damage the ozone layer, but many have a very high global warming potential, in some cases thousands of times that of carbon dioxide. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, adopted on 15 October 2016 at the 28th Meeting of the Parties in Kigali, Rwanda, and in force from 1 January 2019, requires a phase-down of HFC production and consumption, aiming for an 80 to 85 percent cut by the late 2040s and avoiding up to about 0.5 degrees Celsius of warming by 2100. Countries follow three schedules. Developed countries began cutting in 2019. A group of developing countries began a freeze in 2024. A second group of developing countries, including India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Gulf states, freeze consumption in 2028 and cut it in steps. India's Cabinet approved ratification of the Kigali Amendment in August 2021, and India's schedule is a phase-down of HFC consumption by 85 percent in four steps between 2032 and 2047: 10 percent in 2032, 20 percent in 2037, 30 percent in 2042 and 85 percent in 2047. The index title speaks of eliminating HFCs by 2030, but India's actual commitment under Kigali is a phase-down, not a complete elimination, and the 2030 date relates to the separate phase-out of HCFCs under the Montreal Protocol. Hedge details: check the latest rules and schedule.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Environment & Ecology · Protected Areas Lists and Recent Developments in Environment

At a Glance

Adopted 15 October 2016, Kigali
In force 1 January 2019
Goal 80-85 percent cut by late 2040s
India’s freeze 2028
India’s end step 85 percent by 2047
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Environment & Ecology: Protected Areas Lists and Recent Developments in Environment

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the Kyoto topic and shows how the ozone treaty became a climate treaty. It also prepares for the later topics on cooling, black carbon and carbon neutrality. Previous topic: Kyoto Protocol (Second Commitment Period, 2013–20) and COP Conferences. Next topic: Carbon Neutrality Concept and Negative Emissions.

What Does the Kigali Amendment Require?

Aspect	Details
Treaty	Amendment to the Montreal Protocol (1987), adopted at MOP28 in Kigali on 15 October 2016
In force	1 January 2019
Aim	Phase down HFCs by about 80 to 85 percent by the late 2040s
Climate benefit	Avoid up to about 0.5 degrees Celsius of warming by 2100
Developed countries	Cuts start 2019
Other developing countries	Freeze in 2024
India and a few others	Freeze in 2028; 10 percent cut by 2032, 20 by 2037, 30 by 2042 and 85 by 2047

How Is India Responding?

Ratification: Union Cabinet approved in August 2021
Phase-down not elimination: India’s schedule ends at 85 percent cut by 2047, not zero by 2030
HCFCs: the separate Montreal phase-out of HCFCs by 2030, with a small servicing tail
India Cooling Action Plan: released in 2019; aims to cut cooling demand and refrigerant need over 20 years
Rules: Ozone-depleting substances rules were amended to cover HFC control
Alternatives: hydrocarbons, ammonia, CO2 and HFOs
Industry: air conditioner makers need to shift to low-GWP gases
Servicing sector: needs training for flammable refrigerants

What Else Should You Remember?

Ozone layer: stratospheric layer absorbing UV radiation
Vienna Convention: 1985, the framework treaty
Montreal Protocol: 1987, in force 1989
Universal ratification: the Montreal Protocol was the first treaty ratified by every country
CFCs: phased out in India by 2010
HCFCs: transitional substitutes, still phased out
HFCs: no ozone depletion but high GWP
Global warming potential: HFC-23 has a GWP of over 10,000 times CO2
HFC-23: a by-product of HCFC-22 production, to be destroyed
Baseline years: India’s baseline is the average of 2024, 2025 and 2026
Group of countries: schedules differ by development status and climate
Article 5 Group 2: India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Gulf countries
Multilateral Fund: financial help for developing countries
Fund purpose: to meet the extra costs of conversion
Technology: the amendment includes energy efficiency while converting
Energy saving: better efficiency of air conditioners can double the climate benefit
Cooling demand: expected to rise fast in India with income and warming
BEE star labels: help consumers choose efficient appliances
Cold chain: needs refrigerants too
Fire protection: HFCs are used in some systems
Inhalers and aerosols: HFC propellants in medical products
Link to previous: see Kyoto Protocol (Second Commitment Period, 2013–20) and COP Conferences
Link to next: see Carbon Neutrality Concept and Negative Emissions
Link to ozone: see Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Agreement
Caution: schedules and national rules should be checked in official notifications
Exam hint: remember 2016, 2019, 85 percent by 2047 and the difference from HCFCs
Why Kigali was needed: Without the amendment, growth of air conditioning could add HFC emissions equal to a large share of global warming by 2100
Production sector: HFC producers need to cut output, and by-product HFC-23 must be destroyed under agreed rules
Ozone-friendly and climate-friendly: The choice of substitute must consider flammability, toxicity, cost and energy efficiency together
Developing country concern: India and others pressed for later dates, enough funds and access to safe technology
Import control: HFC trade is controlled through licensing and quotas under national rules
Public awareness: Servicing technicians and consumers need guidance on safe gas handling and leak prevention
Energy efficiency link: Cooling accounts for a growing share of electricity demand, so efficient equipment lowers emissions beyond the gas switch
Refrigerant leakage: Leaks from old equipment release HFCs, so recovery, recycling and proper disposal are part of the phase-down
Industrial use: Some sectors, such as foam and aerosol makers, have to change formulations to meet the schedule

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Kigali: 2016; force 2019
India: 85 percent by 2047
Gas: HFC: warming not ozone
Current affairs link: Cooling plan
Common errors: saying HFCs deplete ozone

As an analytical point, the Kigali Amendment shows that a treaty built for the ozone layer could deliver climate benefits cheaply. The cooling challenge in hot countries makes efficiency as important as the choice of gas.

Why Is This Topic Important?

HFC High GWP
Kigali Phase-down
India Stepwise

What Came Next?

The next topic covers carbon neutrality and negative emissions. Next topic: Carbon Neutrality Concept and Negative Emissions.

Key People and Terms

HFC Hydrofluorocarbon
HCFC Hydrochlorofluorocarbon
GWP Global warming potential
MOP Meeting of the Parties
ICAP India Cooling Action Plan
HFO Hydrofluoroolefin

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Kigali 2016; force 2019.
India freeze 2028.
India: 85 percent by 2047.
HFCs: warming, not ozone.
HCFC phase-out: 2030.

Do Not Confuse With

HFC and HCFC No ozone harm versus ozone-depleting
Phase-down and phase-out Gradual cut versus full end
Kigali and Kyoto Montreal amendment versus UNFCCC treaty

Memory Hook

Sixteen Kigali, nineteen force; India twenty-eight, forty-seven finish.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for the treaty, year and India’s steps. These points help.

Gas HFCs
Treaty Kigali
India Steps

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“What is the Kigali Amendment and what is India’s commitment under it?”

How to Answer

Gas HFC.
Treaty Kigali.
India Steps.
Cooling Plan.

GS Relevance

Prelims: Kigali, schedules, India's steps, difference from elimination. GS Paper 3: ozone and climate treaties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kigali Amendment?

The Kigali Amendment is a 2016 amendment to the Montreal Protocol, in force since 1 January 2019, that requires countries to phase down the production and use of hydrofluorocarbons, which are potent greenhouse gases. It aims for an 80 to 85 percent cut by the late 2040s and could avoid about 0.5 degrees Celsius of warming.

What is India's HFC phase-down schedule?

India will freeze HFC consumption in 2028 and then phase it down in four steps: 10 percent in 2032, 20 percent in 2037, 30 percent in 2042 and 85 percent in 2047, relative to a baseline of the average of 2024 to 2026. The Union Cabinet approved ratification in August 2021.

Does India plan to eliminate HFCs by 2030?

No. India's commitment under Kigali is a phase-down, ending with an 85 percent reduction by 2047, not a full elimination by 2030. The 2030 date is linked to the separate Montreal Protocol phase-out of HCFCs, which are ozone-depleting substances used before HFCs.

How are HFCs different from CFCs?

CFCs and HCFCs damage the stratospheric ozone layer, while HFCs do not contain chlorine and so do not deplete ozone. However, many HFCs have a very high global warming potential, so the Kigali Amendment treats them as a climate problem within the ozone treaty.

What is the India Cooling Action Plan?

The India Cooling Action Plan, released in 2019, is a long-term plan to reduce cooling demand and refrigerant needs over about 20 years through better building design, efficient equipment, alternative refrigerants and skilled servicing. It supports India's HFC phase-down and aims to cut energy use and emissions from cooling.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 The Kigali Amendment was adopted in 2016.

True

In force in 2019.

2 HFCs deplete the ozone layer.

False

They warm the climate.

3 India will cut HFCs by 85 percent by 2047.