Governments Launched New Kigali Amendment Coalition
The international partnership targets HFC phase-downs and improved cooling efficiency to mitigate future climate warming.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Environmental
Live Poll
Should governments prioritize expanding access to cooling technologies to ensure public health and economic stability?
Nations have officially launched the Friends of the Kigali Amendment coalition in New York to accelerate the global transition toward sustainable cooling systems. This initiative coincides with a US$100 million philanthropic funding commitment aimed at reducing hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions.
Why it matters
As the global stock of air conditioners is projected to surge from 1.6 billion units in 2018 to 5.6 billion by 2050, this coalition seeks to prevent the rapid increase of super pollutants. Its success is critical to realizing the 0.5°C of global warming avoidance potentially afforded by the Kigali Amendment by 2100.
The Kigali Amendment mandates the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons, which represent a significant segment of super pollutants accounting for up to 70% of avoidable warming by 2050. Full implementation of these standards is estimated to avoid 0.5°C of global warming by the year 2100.
The players
Rwanda
A central African nation acting as a primary leader of the coalition and the host for the upcoming MOP38 meeting.
Sequoia Climate Foundation
A philanthropic organization focused on climate strategy that is part of the group backing the US$100 million funding initiative.
The details
The coalition focuses on three primary technical levers: phasing down the use of HFCs (potent greenhouse gases used in refrigeration), improving the energy efficiency of cooling appliances, and strengthening refrigerant management practices. By mobilizing public, philanthropic, and private finance, the group intends to complement the existing Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, a financial mechanism designed to assist developing countries in meeting treaty obligations. These efforts are intended to maintain political momentum and standardize cooling technologies internationally.
Timeline
2016: The Kigali Amendment was formally adopted.
August 2026: Total ratifications reached 174 parties out of 198.
September 24, 2026: The Friends of the Kigali Amendment coalition launched in New York.
November 2026: The coalition is scheduled to meet at the MOP38 conference in Kigali.
The Tech Race
This coalition extends the long-standing regulatory framework of the Montreal Protocol by focusing specifically on the cooling sector's infrastructure. It aims to bridge the gap between treaty-level mandates and the practical, private-sector deployment of efficient cooling technologies.
Consumers can expect to see a shift toward cooling appliances that use lower-impact refrigerants and higher energy-efficiency standards as manufacturers align with these international goals. While immediate household prices remain unannounced, these policy shifts are designed to lower long-term operating costs through better appliance efficiency.
The takeaway
The success of this initiative hinges on scaling private and philanthropic funding to match the aggressive pace of the air conditioning market expansion. Stakeholders should monitor the outcomes of the MOP38 meeting in November 2026 for specific updates on how these investments will be prioritized.
What happens next
The coalition members are set to reconvene for follow-up discussions during the MOP38 meeting scheduled for November 2026 in Kigali.
Further reading
For broader context on international efforts to reduce pollutants, visit the Environmental section.
Live Poll
Should governments prioritize expanding access to cooling technologies to ensure public health and economic stability?
