In October 2016, nearly 200 countries, with the strong support of the HVACR industry and other stakeholders, came to a landmark agreement in Kigali, Rwanda, to bring about a global phase down of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants (HFCs). This agreement, known as the Kigali Amendment, updates the original Montreal Protocol to require developed countries to begin their phasedown of HFCs by 2019. The majority of developing countries will follow by reducing their HFC consumption levels in 2024, while others will not begin their reductions until 2028. For the U.S. to be a party, this treaty requires ratification by two-thirds of the U.S. Senate.
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) represents manufacturers of air conditioning, heating, commercial refrigeration, and water heating equipment, and has communicated the industry’s support of the Kigali Amendment to the White House and to relevant congressional and federal agency leaders. It is unclear when or if the White House will decide to submit the treaty to the U.S. Senate for ratification.