CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is an international agreement to gradually reduce the consumption and production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). It is a legally binding agreement designed to create rights and obligations in international law.

Detailed explanation-2: -On October 15, 2016, with the United States’ leadership, 197 countries adopted an amendment to phase down HFCs under the Montreal Protocol in Kigali, Rwanda. Under the amendment, countries committed to cut the production and consumption of HFCs by more than 80 percent over the next 30 years.

Detailed explanation-3: -In Sept. 2022, the US Senate ratified the Kigali Amendment, which would help protect the ozone layer and could avoid up to 0.5 degree Celsius of global temperature rise by 2100. Under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, EPA regulates the management of appliances that use ozone-depleting refrigerants.

Detailed explanation-4: -On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, the President signed the instrument of ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Thank you to Senators Menendez, Risch, Carper, and Kennedy, and Leaders Schumer and McConnell, for their leadership.

Detailed explanation-5: -Group 1: The majority of Article 5 Parties. Group 2: Bahrain, India, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Group 2 has a later freeze and phase-down steps compared with Group 1.