By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called on countries around the world to ratify and fully implement the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, stressing the need for equitable and sustainable access to cooling as global temperatures continue to rise.
Guterres made the call in a statement posted on his official X handle on Wednesday to mark the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commonly known as Ozone Day.
The UN chief said rising temperatures and the increasing frequency of extreme heat events had made access to efficient cooling an essential requirement for protecting lives and livelihoods.
“As temperatures rise and extreme heat becomes more common, access to efficient cooling saves lives. We must meet that need fairly and sustainably,” Guterres said.
He described the Kigali Amendment as an important instrument in addressing the environmental impact of refrigerants used in cooling equipment, particularly hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases.
According to him, the implementation of the amendment is critical not only to environmental protection but also to public health, food security, livelihoods and the ability of communities to withstand the impacts of climate change.
“The Kigali Amendment tackles potent greenhouse gases used for cooling, and is essential for health, food security, livelihoods and climate resilience,” he said.
Guterres noted that the growing demand for cooling, driven partly by rising global temperatures, must be addressed in a manner that does not exacerbate the climate crisis.
He therefore urged governments to accelerate the transition towards sustainable cooling technologies while ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind.
“On Ozone Day, I urge all countries to ratify and implement the Amendment, accelerate the shift to sustainable cooling, and protect people and planet,” the UN Secretary-General said.
The Kigali Amendment, adopted in 2016, seeks to phase down the production and consumption of HFCs, substances widely used in refrigeration, air-conditioning and other cooling systems but which have high global-warming potential.
The agreement forms part of international efforts to protect the ozone layer while simultaneously reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.
Precise Post recalls that Guterres’ appeal comes amid growing concerns over the consequences of extreme heat and the increasing demand for cooling systems, particularly in developing countries where access to reliable and affordable cooling remains limited.
Efficient and climate-friendly cooling is considered important for preserving food and medicines, supporting economic activities and protecting people from heat-related risks.
The Secretary-General’s message therefore linked ozone-layer protection with broader efforts to address climate change, improve public health and promote sustainable development.
He called for stronger international action to ensure that the world’s transition to sustainable cooling is accelerated while ensuring that the benefits of cooling technologies are accessible to people and communities most exposed to extreme heat.
The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is observed annually on September 16 to raise awareness about the importance of the ozone layer and international efforts to protect it.
