LocationsCelebrating the World Ozone Day and the 10th Anniversary of the Kigali Amendment
September 16, 2026
Nearly four decades ago, the world came together to protect the ozone layer. Today, the ozone layer is steadily recovering, helping to protect hundreds of millions of people from harmful ultraviolet radiation and its associated health risks thanks to the successful implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
Ten years ago, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol adopted the Kigali Amendment, extending the Protocol's scope to address climate change by phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a group of potent greenhouse gases widely used in cooling applications. As we mark this tenth anniversary, it is worth reflecting on the remarkable progress achieved.
As of 16 September 2026, 174 countries have ratified the Kigali Amendment and reported their HFC production and consumption data to the Ozone Secretariat. All HFC-producing countries and major consuming countries are now Parties to the Amendment. Reported data therefore represent 100 per cent of global HFC production and 96 per cent of global HFC consumption.
Based on data reported officially to the Ozone Secretariat, Global HFC production and consumption peaked in 2023 at 1.73 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent and have since begun to decline. Peak consumption was already 22 per cent below the collective baseline of 2.21 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent established under the Kigali Amendment. In 2024, consumption fell further to 30 per cent below the baseline.
This progress did not happen by chance. Under the Kigali Amendment, 2024 marked the freeze year for HFC production and consumption for the majority of developing countries, while developed countries were required to cut their production and consumption by 40 per cent from baseline levels. Before the Kigali Amendment, HFCs were the fastest-growing category of greenhouse gases.
“This success is a powerful example of why international cooperation and global policy matter, and how they can deliver tangible results efficiently. In less than a decade, countries around the world worked together to reverse a trend that once seemed impossible to change.”- Xiaofang Zhou, Head, UNDP Cooling, Circularity and Pollution Prevention Pillar
Behind this success, lies a comprehensive and effective governance system: critical institutional strengthening and capacity building, robust data collection, reporting and verification, clear policy frameworks and timeline, industry-led transitions, technological innovation across value chains, and a financial mechanism – the Multilateral Fund – designed to ensure that no country and sector is left behind. The Montreal Protocol has often been described as the most effective environmental treaty ever negotiated. It offers valuable lessons and inspiration for addressing today’s pressing challenges.
Yet we cannot afford complacency. Demands on cooling continue to increase as temperatures rise across all regions, and urban populations grow, particularly in developing countries. Sustainable cooling is essential for preserving food and medicines, improving health outcomes, enabling productivity, and ensuring a comfortable and resilient environment.
At the same time, emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and the rapid expansion of data centers, are creating new energy challenges. Recognizing the importance of addressing cooling demand and energy use together, the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol has, in recent years, integrated energy efficiency into its major programs supporting the implementation of the Kigali Amendment.
UNDP has been a longstanding partner in assisting the parties of the Montreal Protocol and its institutions. UNDP played an important role in translating international agreement into national strategies and actions. We help connect the countries and people to address common and specific challenges, create opportunity and promote innovation. We help build an international community based on cooperation and shared interests.
The success of the Montreal Protocol demonstrates that transformative change is possible when science, policy, innovation, and international cooperation come together. Let us build on this momentum and continue working together to deliver sustainable solutions for people and the planet.