Nations reach deal in Kigali to reduce hydrofluorocarbons usage by 85 per cent

In a major breakthrough on the environmental front, 107 countries came to an agreement in Kigali, Rwanda, on Saturday for phasing out a potent greenhouse gas by 2045. This in turn, will help in prevention of a potential 0.5 C rise in the global temperature by 2050.

The agreement’s details however have not yet been made public. As per Center for Science and Environment (CSE) statement, the developed countries, led by US and Europe will reduce hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) usage by 85 percent by 2036 over a 2011-13 baseline.

China will reduce HFC use by 80 percent by 2045 over the 2020-22 baseline whereas India has decided to reduce hydrofluorocarbon use by 85 percent as per the 2024-26 baseline.

HFCs were introduced in the 1980s as a substitute for ozone-depleting gases. However, their danger has grown to a vast extent as refrigerator and air conditioner sales have gone up in various developing countries. 

Environmental groups see this meeting as an essential effort to fight climate change and are hopeful of a positive outcome.