Walking the talk on climate commitments

The Cabinet, on Wednesday, approved the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the 1989 Montreal Protocol, which aimed at protecting the earth from ozone-destroying chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The Protocol led to the replacement of CFCs with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which cause global warming. The 2016 Kigali Amendment aims to phase-down HFCs, a set of 19 gases used by the air-conditioning and refrigerant industry. It is estimated that a phase-out of HFCs by 2050 would prevent about 0.5 degree Celsius rise in global temperatures by the end of this century. This is crucial to achieve the target of restraining the increase in temperatures to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial times. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report says the average temperature has risen by about 1.1 degree Celsius, leading to back-to-back extreme climate events across the world.

Ratifying the amendment signifies that India will compete for low-global warming potential refrigerants, which can spur innovation. It will help the country achieve its climate goals and cooling commitments. India has a Cooling Action Plan, which sets domestic targets for cooling efficiency and refrigerants. The ratification will also prevent imports that utilise HFCs. On Wednesday, environment minister Bhupender Yadav met COP-26 president-designate Alok Sharma, and reiterated that India is committed to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. On Thursday, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that India is on track to meet its Paris goals. The ratification of the Kigali Amendment is yet another signal that India is ready to walk the talk on its climate commitments.