The Cook Islands continues to actively engage in the Pacific Region networking meeting for the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. Senior Environmental Partnership Coordinator, Mii Herman, and Senior Environmental Officer for Aitutaki, Linda Ruamoana, attended a one-week meeting in Palau last month. The meeting was to discuss the finalization of the Stage I Pacific Island Countries (PICs) Kigali Hydrofluorocarbon’s (HFCs) Implementation Plan (KIP) and other Multilateral Fund Projects.
The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 2016, aims to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases commonly found in air conditioners, refrigerators, and foam insulation. For Article 5 countries (developing countries) under the Montreal Protocol including the Cook Islands, the amendment sets phase-down schedules. The Cook Islands will freeze HFC consumption by 2024 and achieve an 80% reduction by 2045 from the baseline. This phased approach is designed to mitigate climate change by significantly reducing the use of HFCs over time.
The NES conducted a nationwide survey to gather data on the use of HFCs, including sector-wise consumption, development trends, and future needs. Herman noted, “This information was crucial for developing the Kigali HFC Phase-Down Implementation Plan, ensuring that the Cook Islands’ needs are met and contributing to the ultimate goal of transitioning to environmentally friendly gases.”
The Cook Islands will receive further financial support from the Multilateral Fund to assist with several strategic elements to ensure the HFC phase-down timeline meets the obligations of the global treaty which includes:
- Limiting the supply of HFCs
- Limiting new demand for high Global Warming Potential (GWP) HFCs
- Promoting climate-friendly and energy efficient equipment
- Reducing the demand of HFCs for servicing existing equipment
- Safely introduction of lower GWP alternatives
Other projects discussed included the Regional PIC Energy Efficiency Project for Low-volume-ODS countries (LVCs), the Regional/National Inventories of Banks of Used or Unwanted Controlled Substances, and Stage II of the Regional PIC Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) Phase-out Management Plan Stage II, Tranche 2. Further funding will go towards activities under each project to assist the Cook Islands in achieving their environmental goals, enhancing energy efficiency, managing controlled substance inventories.
