First Preparatory Workshop for the Ratification of the Kigali Amendment

12th May, 2017 A half-day workshop hosted by the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of MEIDECC aimed to provide a platform for the advisory committee members to discuss and share information on the Montreal Protocol compliance management. Provide  national mechanism for the ratification of the Montreal Protocol Kigali (2016) Amendment and Hydro chlorofluorocarbons phase-out management.

Acting CEO for MEIDECC Mr. Leveni ‘Aho stated that the “Protocol is one of the prime contributors to the  fight against climate change, as it has averted more than 135 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.”

Mr. ‘Aho said the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was adopted by the 28^th Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol on October 15^th 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda.

“The Amendment adds powerful greenhouse gases hydro fluorocarbons (HCFs) to the list of substances controlled under the Protocol to be phased down. The Kingdom of Tonga has been a party to the Montreal Protocol since July 1998 and is currently preparing to ratify the Kigali Amendment in 2017,” he said.

Head of the National Ozone Layer Protection Uikelotu Vunga said, “The HFC phase-down is expected to prevent the emission of up to 105 million tons 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.”

HFCs are currently used in refrigeration and air-conditioning, aerosols, fire protection equipment and the manufacture of insulation foam, and phasing them down across the economy may be challenging. Whilst parties will wish to manage the phase-down in the most effective and efficient way, costs will inevitably be incurred, although of course support will be available to Article 5 parties including Tonga by the Multilateral Fund (MLF)

“Under the Amendment, Tonga is required to gradually reduce HFC use by 80-85 percent by late 2040s.”

Vunga also stressed the need for representatives from line ministries and importers from NGOs to collaborate in minimizing the use of HFC products.

The workshop was funded by the United Nation Environment Programme.

ENDS

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Climate Change & Communications.