Civil society calls for increased funding to implement Kigali Amendment

Civil society organisations have urged countries to boost funding, enforce rules more strictly, and speed up actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), warning that new environmental risks could jeopardise progress achieved under the Montreal Protocol. This plea was made at a high-level segment of the 38th Meeting of the Parties (MOP38) on behalf of 13 other groups from seven countries, ten years after the world adopted the Kigali Amendment in Rwanda.

Civil society groups, led by the Centre for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD), have urged the Parties to the Montreal Protocol to convert their pledges into sufficient financing, effective enforcement, and swifter cuts to HFCs. Executive Director of CEJAD, Griffins Ochieng', delivered a joint statement on behalf of 13 organisations from 7 countries.

Ochieng' emphasized that every small increase in global warming matters and stressed that the Protocol and its Kigali Amendment must keep evolving. The Montreal Protocol, signed by all countries, is considered one of the most successful environmental treaties, with the ozone layer recovering toward a healthy state. The Kigali Amendment to the treaty aims to cut HFCs, powerful greenhouse gases used in refrigeration and air conditioning, potentially preventing up to 0.5°C of warming by 2100.

However, the statement highlighted that the ozone layer is facing new challenges, such as rising nitrous oxide emissions, very short-lived substances, emissions from fluorochemical production, and pollution from fluorinated refrigerants like PFAS. Many of these threats are invisible and can be found in the refrigerants used in our refrigerators and air conditioners, in our air, and in our water.

Ochieng' noted, "These threats are invisible, but their harm is not." In Kenya, researchers have already detected PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," in the Nairobi River's water, sediment, and plants. "Across Africa, illegal and mislabeled refrigerants endanger technicians, and inefficient second-hand equipment increases emissions and electricity bills.

African nations have shown great leadership, from hosting talks that led to the Kigali Amendment to proposing concrete actions against illegal trade. Ten years later, Africa requires funding that matches this ambition. If we fail to act, the health and climate benefits of the Kigali Amendment will dissipate one cylinder at a time."

During MOP38, the African Group proposed tools to combat illegal trade, establish effective licensing systems, and train customs and ozone officers. Key action areas include: a consistent replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for 2027–2029, appropriate licensing systems and measures to tackle illegal trade, and improved monitoring, reporting, and compliance, particularly on HFC-23 emissions and regional monitoring gaps.

Additionally, targeted assistance, including training for technicians and customs officials, is needed to help Article 5 countries meet their Kigali commitments. The statement also called for action on emerging threats, including nitrous oxide, very short-lived substances, emissions from fluorochemical production, and PFAS pollution.