US and China to phase-down use and production of HFCs    

The United States and China have announced they will each implement the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) production and consumption reflected in the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and have “committed to cooperating” with each other and with other countries to tackle the 'climate crisis'. 

The Kigali Amendment is an international agreement to gradually reduce the consumption and production of HFCs. To date, 118 countries and the European Union have ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

The joint announcement came after meetings between US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua in Shanghai.

The announcement followed China’s pledge to accept the Kigali Amendment during a virtual summit with the President of France and the Chancellor of Germany. At this summit, President Xi mentioned China’s intention to strengthen the control of non-CO2 greenhouse gases, including HFCs that are scheduled for phase-down, under the Kigali Amendment. In late 2020, China also set a target of net-zero emissions by 2060.

China and the US are amongst the world’s largest users and producers of HFCs.