Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV Nigeria) has called for increased financial support, stronger international cooperation and renewed political commitment to ensure the effective implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
The organisation made the call at the 48th Open-ended Working Group (OEWG48) meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol holding in Bangkok, Thailand, ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment later this year.
This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Leslie Adogame, Executive Director, SRADeV Nigeria.
SRADeV said the meeting presents an opportunity for governments to reflect on the achievements of the Montreal Protocol while addressing emerging implementation challenges confronting developing countries.
It stressed that the anniversary of the Kigali Amendment should serve as a platform for countries to renew their ambition and commitment toward tackling climate change through accelerated implementation of agreed obligations.
The organisation urged Parties to replenish the Multilateral Fund, strengthen institutional support and scale up implementation of the Kigali Amendment, particularly in Article 5, for countries such as Nigeria where demand for cooling technologies continues to rise rapidly.
The statement quoted the Director and National Ozone Officer, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Idris Abdullahi, as saying that an adequately replenished Multilateral Fund remained critical to helping Article 5 Parties meet their obligations while delivering both ozone protection and climate benefits.
According to him, sustained financial support is indispensable to ensuring developing countries comply with their commitments under the Montreal Protocol.
SRADeV noted that the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987 and enforced in 1989, remains one of the world’s most successful environmental agreements.
It recalled that the Kigali Amendment, adopted in 2016, expanded the treaty’s scope by targeting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases that contribute significantly to global warming.
The organisation observed that the Bangkok meeting comes amid economic uncertainty, energy market volatility, fiscal constraints and worsening climate impacts, all of which have increased implementation challenges for Article 5 countries.
It noted that many developing countries are simultaneously completing the phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) while preparing for the first HFC phase-down step within the next three years.
SRADeV described Nigeria as one of Africa’s leading countries implementing the Kigali Amendment through regulatory reforms, institutional strengthening, capacity building and market transformation initiatives.
It added that these initiatives were coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Environment with support from international partners.
The organisation said Nigeria’s progress demonstrates its commitment to achieving climate and ozone protection objectives.
Executive Director of SRADeV Nigeria, Dr Leslie Adogame, said predictable financing and sustained international cooperation were essential for reducing climate emissions, improving energy efficiency, transforming cooling markets and protecting vulnerable populations from rising temperatures.
Adogame added that adequate funding would also strengthen institutional capacity, modernise refrigeration servicing sectors and support sustainable cooling solutions.
He said the outcome of OEWG48 would significantly influence Nigeria’s ability to sustain implementation of its Kigali obligations over the coming years.
According to him, Nigeria is already strengthening HFC licensing and quota systems, promoting climate-friendly refrigerants, expanding technician training and certification.
He added that Nigeria was also enhancing refrigerant recovery and recycling, improving energy efficiency in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector, and integrating sustainable cooling into national climate policies.
The statement also quoted the Policy and Technical Manager of SRADeV Nigeria, Mr Jeremiah Ato, as saying that Nigeria had demonstrated strong commitment through proactive policy reforms and institutional actions.
“However, ambition must be matched with adequate resources. This is not the time to reduce support; it is the time to strengthen it,” he said.
The statement also expressed concern over the continued importation of obsolete and energy-inefficient refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment into developing countries.
It warned that the practice undermines the objectives of the Kigali Amendment by prolonging the use of outdated technologies that consume more electricity, utilise high-global warming potential refrigerants and generate hazardous waste.
SRADeV therefore called for stronger international collaboration to combat illegal trade, enhance customs intelligence, improve market surveillance and strengthen national regulatory frameworks to prevent the importation of obsolete equipment into Article 5 countries.
It also urged the African Group of Negotiators to maintain a united position throughout the OEWG48 negotiations to safeguard Africa’s interests and accelerate climate-friendly cooling transitions.
