Washington D.C. (September 22, 2022) – Today the U.S. Senate voted to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are super-pollutants used in refrigeration and air conditioning appliances and a major contributor to climate change.
Congress previously enacted the bipartisan American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act in 2020 to reduce national HFC production and import and provide resources for the transition of the HFC market. In 2021, the Biden administration finalized a rule outlined in the AIM Act to phase down the production and consumption of HFCs 85% below baseline levels within the next 15 years.
The Kigali Amendment will help the world prevent up to 0.5 °C (0.9 °F) of additional temperature rise by the end of the century. In addition to the major climate benefits, investments from ratification could create thousands of new jobs and generate billions for the U.S. economy in the next decade.
Following is a statement from Dan Lashof, Director, WRI United States:
“By ratifying the Kigali Amendment, the U.S. is now aligned with 137 other countries working to phase down climate-warming super pollutants and avoid additional emissions that contribute to climate change. This action by the U.S. will encourage other countries to join the agreement and send a strong signal to the rest of the world that the nation is serious about addressing the climate crisis and investing in a cleaner, more sustainable economy.”
“Today’s vote by the United States is a good reminder that climate action and economic prosperity go hand-in-hand. No stakeholders were louder in their support for ratifying the Kigali Amendment than U.S. businesses. There is a very good reason for that – in addition to being a major win for the climate, the Kigali Amendment will unlock billions of dollars in new investment to produce more energy efficient American-made appliances.”
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