Leading environmentalists, policy makers and philanthropists from around the world will meet in Rwanda to celebrate the entry into force of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The amendment is considered the single most impactful step taken to address global climate change and will see hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), chemicals used in cooling appliances, replaced with environmentally-friendly alternatives. The amendment entered into force on 1 January 2019.

Rwanda’s Ministry of Environment, UN Environment through the Ozone Secretariat and United for Efficiency, and the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program will host the group of environmental experts, philanthropists, business leaders, international NGOs and government representatives to mark the adoption of the Amendment and strategies to ensure its long term success. The event will take place 28 January 2019 at the Marriott Hotel, Kigali.

The event will also recognise the work Rwanda has done to meet its obligations under the Kigali Amendment. These efforts, which have been possible thanks to the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program and UN Environment's United for Efficiency, include conducting a market assessment, developing a national cooling strategy and minimum energy efficiency standards, and creating financial tools to support businesses to invest in efficient cooling.

The participants will have a chance to explore the role of public-private partnerships, innovative philanthropic initiatives, and other opportunities to advance action to address climate change. The meeting will also advance Rwanda’s own efficient and clean cooling policies, financial mechanisms, and recognise the country's fast and bold action.

As part of the event, international guests will visit farmers who have pioneered new cold-chain solutions by switching to efficient and clean cooling, as well as Volcanoes National Park to see Rwanda's environment and conservation programmes first hand.

Following the event, the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program will host their annual meeting with experts from around the world. The meeting will feature the Global Cooling Panel on 30 January 2019 to advance global efforts towards clean and efficient cooling for all.

About the Kigali Amendment

Ratified by 67 nations, the Kigali Amendment is an amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer. It was adopted by the 28th Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol on 15 October 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda. The Amendment adds powerful greenhouse gases hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to the list of substances controlled under the Protocol to be phased down. HFC phase-down is expected to prevent the emission of up to 105 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse gases, helping to avoid up to 0.5 degree Celsius of global temperature rise by 2100, while continuing to protect the ozone layer. Paired with energy efficiency measures, the Kigali Amendment could avoid up to 1 degree Celsius of warming by the end of the century.

Learn more: UN Environment

Organisers

Kigali Cooling Efficiency - https://www.k-cep.org/

The Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program (K-CEP) envisions a world in which environmentally friendly, energy efficient cooling is accessible to all. It is a philanthropic program to support the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol. K-CEP focuses on the energy efficiency of cooling to increase and accelerate the climate and development benefits of the Kigali Amendment to phase down HFCs.

UN Environment - https://www.unenvironment.org/

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

Media Enquiries

?     Umubyeyi Marie Josée, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Environment, on +250 788 455 198 or at jumubyeyi@environment.gov.rw.

?     Brian Holuj, Programme Officer - United for Efficiency Initiative, Energy Unit, UN Environment at brian.holuj@un.org.