Coalition Launched to Support Kigali Amendment
The new international group aims to accelerate HFC phase-downs and expand sustainable cooling access worldwide.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Environmental
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Governments have formed the Friends of the Kigali Amendment coalition in New York to bolster efforts in phasing down climate-warming hydrofluorocarbons. The initiative coincides with a US$100 million philanthropic funding commitment aimed at improving cooling energy efficiency.
Why it matters
Rising global cooling demand threatens climate goals, as air conditioner stocks are expected to surge to 5.6 billion units by 2050. This coalition seeks to maintain political momentum and secure the significant warming reductions promised by the 2016 Montreal Protocol amendment.
Full implementation of the Kigali Amendment is estimated to avoid up to 0.5°C of global warming by 2100. Currently, 174 of 198 parties to the Montreal Protocol have ratified the agreement.
The players
Rwanda
This East African nation serves as a leadership country for the coalition and is the host for the upcoming MOP38 meeting.
Sequoia Climate Foundation
This organization is part of the collective of philanthropies that pledged US$100 million to support HFC emission reductions.
Brazil
This nation is serving as a co-chair for the Ministerial Communiqué priorities established by the coalition.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is a key partner in the coalition and holds a leadership role for the Ministerial Communiqué.
The details
The coalition, led by Rwanda, Brazil, and the United Kingdom, will focus on strengthening refrigerant management and increasing the efficiency of cooling appliances. It aims to bridge gaps in existing financial mechanisms by mobilizing private and public capital to complement the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
Timeline
The Kigali Amendment was originally adopted in 2016.
As of August 2026, 174 parties had ratified the amendment.
The Friends of the Kigali Amendment coalition was launched on September 24, 2026.
Coalition members will convene for the MOP38 meeting in Kigali in November 2026.
Deeper Dive
The coalition is built to enforce the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. This structure follows a pattern set by international climate agreements, where specialized coalitions are formed to mobilize the private and public finance necessary to meet established treaty obligations.
This initiative aims to push the manufacturing sector toward higher-efficiency cooling appliances, which may lead to more energy-efficient AC units available on the global market. Over time, these standards could reduce long-term electricity consumption and costs for households worldwide.
The takeaway
Super pollutants like HFCs represent up to 70% of potential avoidable warming by 2050, making cooling efficiency a critical frontier in climate policy. Consumers and businesses can contribute by prioritizing high-efficiency cooling systems that utilize climate-friendly refrigerants.
What happens next
The coalition is scheduled to meet at the MOP38 conference in Kigali, Rwanda, in November 2026 to continue their work on political and practical action.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Environmental policy and global climate efforts.
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Should governments prioritize expanding access to cooling technologies to ensure public health and economic stability?
