What Happened
- The Central Government announced that no new clearances will be granted for the production of refrigerant gases (hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs) after 2027.
- The decision aligns with India's obligations under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which India ratified in 2021.
- Under the Kigali Amendment's schedule for Article 5 developing countries like India, the baseline HFC consumption is to be frozen from January 1, 2028, with phase-down reductions beginning in 2032.
- Halting new production licences from 2027 prevents the establishment of new HFC manufacturing capacity that would complicate compliance with the 2028 consumption freeze baseline.
- HFCs are widely used in refrigeration, air-conditioning (RAC), and foam-blowing applications.
Static Topic Bridges
Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987) is the landmark multilateral environmental agreement that successfully phased out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as CFCs and HCFCs. In 2016, the Parties adopted the Kigali Amendment (Rwanda) to extend the Protocol's scope to cover hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) — which replaced ODS in refrigerants but are potent greenhouse gases with high Global Warming Potential (GWP).
- Montreal Protocol entered into force: 1989; near-universal ratification (198 Parties).
- Kigali Amendment adopted: October 2016, at the 28th Meeting of the Parties (MOP-28) in Kigali, Rwanda.
- India ratified the Kigali Amendment in 2021; Cabinet approval was granted on August 18, 2021.
- The amendment adds HFCs to the list of controlled substances under the Protocol.
- Expected impact: prevent up to 80 billion metric tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions by 2050; avoid 0.5°C of warming by 2100.
Connection to this news: The decision to freeze new production licences from 2027 is India's domestic regulatory implementation of the Kigali Amendment's baseline freeze requirement for developing countries.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): Properties and Climate Impact
HFCs are synthetic fluorinated greenhouse gases used primarily as refrigerants in air conditioners, refrigerators, and heat pumps, and as blowing agents in foam manufacturing. They were introduced as replacements for ozone-depleting CFCs and HCFCs but have very high Global Warming Potential (GWP) — ranging from 12 to over 14,000 times that of CO2 over a 100-year period — making them powerful short-lived climate pollutants.
- Common HFCs: HFC-134a (GWP ~1,430), HFC-410A (GWP ~2,088), HFC-32 (GWP ~675).
- While HFCs do not deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, they are powerful greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.
- India's rapidly growing RAC (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) sector — driven by urbanisation and rising incomes — makes HFC demand management a key climate policy challenge.
- Alternatives include hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), natural refrigerants (ammonia, CO2, propane), and low-GWP blends.
Connection to this news: India's booming air-conditioning market is projected to make it one of the largest consumers of HFCs globally, making production controls especially important for meeting Kigali commitments.
India's Phase-Down Schedule Under Kigali Amendment
India is classified under Article 5 (developing country) of the Montreal Protocol. Its HFC phase-down schedule differs from that of developed (Article 2) countries, reflecting the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities.
- Baseline period: India's average HFC consumption for 2024, 2025, and 2026 will establish its baseline.
- Freeze: HFC consumption to be frozen at the baseline level from January 1, 2028.
- Reduction schedule: 10% reduction by 2032; 20% by 2037; 30% by 2042; 85% by 2047.
- India's Ozone Cell, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), oversees implementation.
- The National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP), launched in 2019, provides India's roadmap for sustainable cooling and HFC transition.
Connection to this news: The 2027 cut-off for new production clearances directly precedes the 2028 freeze date, ensuring that India's baseline — which will determine all future reduction targets — is not inflated by new capacity additions.
Key Facts & Data
- Montreal Protocol adopted: 1987; entered into force: 1989.
- Kigali Amendment adopted: October 2016, Rwanda.
- India ratified Kigali Amendment: 2021.
- India's HFC baseline freeze year: 2028 (based on 2024–2026 average).
- Phase-down milestones: 10% (2032), 20% (2037), 30% (2042), 85% (2047).
- HFC GWP range: 12 to over 14,000 (compared to CO2 = 1).
- National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP) launched: 2019.
- Expected global climate benefit of Kigali Amendment: avoidance of 0.5°C warming by 2100.