This year marks 10 years since countries agreed to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
The Montreal Protocol is one of the world’s most successful environmental agreements. It helps protect the ozone layer by reducing chemicals that damage it.
The Kigali Amendment was agreed in 2016. It focuses on reducing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
HFCs are powerful greenhouse gases. They are commonly used in refrigeration, air conditioning and other cooling systems.
Now, 10 years later, the Kigali Amendment is making a difference.
More than 170 countries have committed to reducing HFCs including Australia. Together, we are helping cut emissions and support cleaner technology.
Australia supported the negotiations that led to the Kigali Amendment.
We continue to support global efforts to reduce HFCs through:
- supporting Pacific island countries to phase down HFCs
- chairing Montreal Protocol negotiations in 2026.
Australia has introduced a range of measures to reduce domestic HFC emissions. These include:
- limits on HFC imports
- licensing requirements for businesses and technicians
- programs to recover and destroy used refrigerants
- restrictions on single-use HFC gas cylinders
- support for lower-emissions alternatives.
These actions are helping reduce emissions and encourage more sustainable cooling technologies.
The Kigali Amendment shows what countries can achieve when they work together.
Over the past 10 years, global action has helped protect the ozone layer and support climate action.
On World Ozone Day, we celebrate this progress and Australia’s contribution to it.
