Reduction of non-CO₂ gases

HFCs mitigation policies/measures

Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) mitigation policies phase down potent greenhouse gases used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and foams through global agreements (e.g., Kigali Amendment), efficiency standards, and adoption of climate-friendly alternatives.

Axis: Unleashing Enablers and Accelerators including on Financing, Technology and Capacity-Building

Key Objective: Reduction of non-CO₂ gases

Why it matters

HFCs are thousands of times more powerful than CO₂ in trapping heat. Their phase-down is one of the fastest near-term climate actions available. Policies that support the Kigali Amendment implementation, product efficiency standards, and incentives for low-global warming potential (GWP) alternatives could deliver multiple benefits including avoided warming, energy savings, reduced costs for households and businesses, and improved public health through cleaner air. These measures are increasingly important to achieving sustainable cooling in a warming world.

Full Kigali implementation could avoid up to 0.4°C of warming by 2100 (UNEP, 2021)

Transition to efficient cooling could double climate benefits by cutting energy demand 30–60% (IEA, 2022)

140+ countries have ratified Kigali, covering >90% of global HFC consumption (UNEP, 2023)

0.4°C

0.4°C of warming could be avoided by 2100 through full Kigali implementation (UNEP, 2021)

30-60%

30-60% reduction in energy demand from efficient cooling could double climate benefits

140+

140 countries covering >90% of global HFC consumption

UNEP, 2021, Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol - https://www.unep.org/ozonaction/index.php/who-we-are/about-montreal-protocol IEA, 2022, The Future of Cooling https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-cooling Status of ratifications https://ozone.unep.org/all-ratifications