Countries negotiate $1.7 billion climate fund as Kigali hosts global ozone protection meeting

The discussions are taking place in Kigali during the 38th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment, which was adopted in Rwanda's capital in 2016.

The funding will cover the 2027–2029 period. Estimates presented by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) indicate that between $1.23 billion and $1.692 billion will be required, including support costs.

The money will help developing countries reduce their use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), gases commonly used in refrigerators and air-conditioning systems that contribute significantly to global warming. It will also support the adoption of climate-friendly cooling technologies and the training of refrigeration technicians.

Rwanda's Minister of Environment, Dr Bernadette Arakwiye, called for adequate and predictable funding to enable countries to translate their international commitments into practical action.

“We start with resources, because everything else depends on them. An adequate and predictable replenishment of the Multilateral Fund is the foundation of our vision,” she said.

Rwanda aims to reduce HFC consumption by 80 per cent by 2045.

READ ALSO : Democrats Win Control of US House, Vowing to Challenge Trump’s Policies

Adopted in October 2016, the Kigali Amendment established a global framework for gradually reducing HFC use. Its full implementation could prevent up to 0.5°C of global warming by 2100.

The outcome of the Kigali negotiations is expected to determine whether developing countries will receive the financial support needed to sustain progress in protecting the ozone layer and addressing climate change.