Everything you need to know about the Kigali Amendment
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On January 1, 2019 came into force this powerful ally in the fight against climate change
According to the UN, if this amendment is implemented as it should be, excellent results will be obtained. For example, we could prevent the temperature from rising 0.4 ° C by the end of this century. Additionally, within the next 30 years, the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) would be reduced by 80%.
Leer en español: Todo lo que debes saber de la Enmienda Kigali
Here we tell you everything you need to know about this amendment.
This is how the Kigali Amendment was born
The ozone layer has suffered damage as a result of the use of harmful chemicals. These compounds are known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These chemicals are used in everyday products such as aerosols, insecticides, paints, refrigerators, among others.
In the 1980s, a large hole in the ozone layer at the South Pole was discovered. From the date, governments and scientists of the world have worked to reduce the use of these compounds and eliminate their production.
This is how the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer was born in 1985. The agreement was signed and approved by 22 countries and later in 1987 the Monterreal Protocol was established. This protocol "is the protection of the ozone layer by taking measures to control the total world production and the consumption of substances that deplete it, with the ultimate goal of eliminating them, based on the progress of scientific knowledge and technological information".
For 1994, the UN established September 16 as the International Day for the preservation of the ozone layer and in 2007 it was decided to accelerate the calendar for the elimination of these chemicals. In 2009, both the Convention and the Protocol were universally ratified, becoming the first treaties to be confirmed.
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In 2016, in Kigali, Rwanda, the parties established the Amendment and 65 countries have ratified this treaty. According to the UN, "the broad support and implementation of the Montreal Protocol have led to the almost total elimination of a hundred chemicals that deplete the ozone layer, a significant contribution to the mitigation of climate change."
Implementation of the Amendment
The Kigali Amendment came into effect on January 1 of this year and will have three phases of implementation:
1. 2019: a group of developed countries will begin phasing out HFCs
2. 2024: developing countries will achieve a freeze on HFC consumption levels
3. 2028: a smaller group of countries will freeze consumption
The Amendment will contribute to compliance with the Paris Agreements and reduce the effects of climate change.
Results so far
The scientific evaluation of the depletion of the ozone layer shows that the ozone layer has recovered 1-3%, in certain parts of the stratosphere, by decade since 2000.
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The UN emphasizes that "at the projected rates, the northern hemisphere and the medium-latitude ozone will fully recover by the 2030s, followed by the southern hemisphere in the 2050s and the polar regions by 2060."
What can you do to contribute?
As a citizen you can also contribute to protect the ozone layer. When buying aerosols, paints, etc., you can buy products that do not contain HFC or CFC.
As for appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners make sure to make them maintenance and constant cleaning; especially in the back where the condenser and the evaporator are located.
Additionally, you can support and contribute to governmental and private initiatives that help eliminate these chemicals.
LatinAmerican Post | Marcela Peñaloza
Translated from "Todo lo que debes saber de la Enmienda Kigali"
