PM Modi hails 'historic' Kigali agreement

New Delhi, Oct 15: Describing the Kigali agreement on phasing down climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbon as historic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the deal would provide a mechanism for countries like India to access and develop technologies that leave a low carbon footprint.

In a landmark step, 197 nations, including India, today struck a legally-binding deal after intense negotiations in the Rawandan capital Kigali to phase down hydrofluorocarbons.

"I congratulate all countries for having come together on this critical issue, which will contribute to a greener Earth," Modi said.

"The Kigali Agreement to the Montreal Protocol reached this morning is a historic occasion, which will have a lasting impact on our planet."

The agreement reached on the amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the ozone layer is expected to prevent a global temperature rise of up to 0.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, while continuing to protect the ozone layer.

According to the amendment, developed nations will reduce HFC use first, followed by China. India and nine other nations of South and West Asia will follow suit. Overall, the deal is expected to reduce HFC use by 85 per cent by the year 2045.

"This will also provide a mechanism for countries like India to access and develop technologies that leave a low carbon footprint," the Prime Minister said.

"The flexibility and cooperation shown by India as well as other countries has created this fair, equitable and ambitious HFC agreement," he said in a series of tweets.

"Agreement will lead to a reduction of 0.5 degree in global temp by the end of the century & enable us to achieve the goals set in Paris," he said.

PTI