New Book: Protecting the Ozone Layer & Climate: The Kigali Energy Efficiency Triumph
16 September 2026 - In celebration of World Ozone Day, Dr. Stephen O. Andersen, founder and longtime co-chair of the Montreal Protocol’s Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP), and Marco Gonzalez, former Executive Secretary of the Montreal Protocol (2002-2013), announced the launch of their new book, Protecting the Ozone Layer & Climate: The Kigali Energy Efficiency Triumph.
With 50 contributors from two dozen countries, the book chronicles and documents the success of the Montreal Protocol in the “Kigali Era,” -- the 10 years since the Kigali Amendment to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) was adopted. The authors document the leadership of Article 5 developing countries in:
- Proposing Montreal Protocol controls on HFCs,
- Demanding implementation of energy efficiency simultaneous to phase-out of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and phase-down of HFCs, and
- Encouraging joint responsibility of exporting and importing Parties to the Montreal Protocol in stopping the dumping in developing countries of inefficient cooling equipment with obsolete refrigerants and improving access to best available HFC replacements.
The Kigali Amendment to Phase Down HFCs and the parallel decision adopted to implement energy efficiency measures are spotlighted in a 150-page Print Edition of the forthcoming book, which will be distributed free of charge to delegates and observers attending the 38th Meeting of the Montreal Protocol this November in Kigali, Rwanda. An expanded 600-page Kindle e-Book Edition will be available for download in early 2027.
The 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a binding multilateral environmental agreement that has done more to protect Earth than any other agreement. During its nearly 40 years of operation, this treaty has:
- Put the ozone layer on a path to recovery by 2066 by phasing out nearly 100% of 100 ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), thereby solving the first great threat to the global atmosphere.
- Delayed warming by decades and put the world on track to avoid 2.5°C of warming by the end of the century, thereby doing more than any other agreement to help solve the second great threat from climate change.
- Kept the planet from passing irreversible climate tipping points that await between today’s effective 1.5°C and tomorrow’s 2°C, thereby avoiding resource conflicts and mass migration and making a critical contribution to peace and security.
The 2016 Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which mandates a global phasedown of HFCs––chemicals widely adopted as replacements for ODSs and used in air conditioners and refrigerators–– expands the Protocol’s climate protection while improving efficiency in the cooling sector, which will provide additional environmental benefits. The Amendment is on track to avoid up to 0.5°C of warming by the end of the century, making it “the single biggest bite” taken out of the climate problem to date. To date, over 170 countries have ratified the Kigali Amendment.
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