Georgia has joined the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 2023

Georgia has joined the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 2023, which is an international effort to reduce the consumption of compounds with a high global warming potential—hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). 

What are hydrofluorocarbons?

• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) covered by the Kigali Amendment are fluorine-containing greenhouse gases and, like compounds that deplete the ozone layer, are mainly used as refrigerants in the air conditioning and refrigeration sectors
• HFCs are primarily flammable or toxic compounds, and improper use is dangerous for both the environment and human health. The reduction in the world's use of ozone-depleting compounds in order to preserve the ozone layer has led to an increase in the demand for alternative compounds, including HFC.
• HFCs have a particularly high global warming potential (140–11700), thereby contributing to the climate change process. Although they represent a small part of greenhouse gases today, their consumption is increasing by 10–15% annually, and their emissions are expected to increase about twentyfold in the coming decades, mainly due to the increase in demand for refrigeration and air conditioning in developing countries. 

What is the Kigali change providing?

• Georgia has been a party to the Montreal Protocol since 1996, and since then, it has clearly fulfilled its obligations under the aforementioned international agreement. In October 2016, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol was adopted in the capital of Rwanda, Kigali. Since 2019, the Kigali Amendment has been in force. The amendment regulates the production and consumption of HFCs.
• The main goal of the Kigali Amendment is to gradually reduce the consumption and emissions of high-GWP fuels by promoting alternatives with low or zero GWP.
The Kigali Amendment sets out a list of HFCs and requirements to reduce their production and consumption.
The change envisages an 80% reduction in consumption compared to the baseline by 2045. By the year 2100, it is presumed that global warming will have decreased by 0.4 °C as a result of the Kigali Change pledges being carried out.
• The Kigali Amendment ensures, on the one hand, the further development and mass production of alternative technologies with low or zero global warming potential and, on the other hand, the gradual reduction of the production and consumption of HFCs.
Implementation of the main measures envisaged by the accession to the Kigali Amendment is planned with the financial support of the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol.

What will be the consequences of implementing the change in Kigali, Georgia?

• In the case of effective implementation of the Kigali change, the refrigeration and air conditioning industry of Georgia won't fall behind global development trends and will instead steadily position itself for future growth through improvement.  It should be underlined that the aforementioned industry is an essential part of a modern person's everyday existence, without which it would be hard to meet such crucial necessities as food security and access to healthcare, let alone support the tourist, transportation, and other industries.
• Better, frequently more energy-efficient technology will be brought to the nation as a result of Kigali joining the change. Additionally, by joining, the nation will defend itself against the influx of a significant amount of used, outdated equipment, which will impede the sector's future development and make it difficult to uphold the international commitments made both under the Kigali Amendment and generally in relation to climate change.
• Joining the Kigali Amendment Georgia will gain access to the funds designated for the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol, which will be utilized to carry out the necessary actions. 

What steps is Georgia taking to reduce its use of hydrofluorocarbons?

• A package of legislative amendments was developed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and adopted by the Georgian Parliament on June 16, 2023, that aims to improve the national system for managing refrigerants, including refrigerants, increase the quality of services in the refrigeration and air conditioning sectors, and meet the commitments made within the Kigali Amendment. The new regulation regulates transboundary refrigerant shipments as well as the monitoring, collection, recovery, recycling, and disposal of refrigerants, including HFCs leaks.
• In addition, in order to improve the management and supervision of refrigerants, the creation of an electronic system for the management of refrigerants, including refrigerants, and also the management of HFCs is envisaged. It is planned to improve the existing certification system in the refrigeration sector and improve environmental standards. Also, there will be an increase in the qualifications of service technicians for refrigerant-based devices and the strengthening of the capacities of state executive agencies.