The Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine has published another draft Law of Ukraine "On the Ratification of the Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer."
The ministry has posted the text of this document, an explanatory note, and a comparative table, as well as official translations of international documents related to the draft law, on its official website.
What is the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment to it
The Montreal Protocol is an international agreement designed to protect the Earth’s ozone layer. It acts as a kind of “shield” that protects the planet from harmful ultraviolet radiation. To this end, countries agreed to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer. The document entered into force on January 1, 1989.
In 2016, the Kigali Amendment was adopted to the protocol. It concerns hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—substances used in refrigerators and air conditioners. Although they do not harm the ozone layer, HFCs have a significant impact on climate change because they are powerful greenhouse gases.
Consequently, countries agreed to gradually reduce their production and consumption. It is expected that this will help avoid the emission of approximately 105 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in CO₂-equivalent terms and slow global warming by about 0.5°C by the year 2100.
As of April 8 of this year, the Kigali Amendment had already been supported by 173 countries. Specific schedules for the gradual phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons apply to these countries.
Why is it important for Ukraine to ratify the Kigali Amendment?
The European Commission repeatedly reminds Ukrainian officials of the need to ratify this international agreement in its annual assessments of Ukraine’s progress. In 2025, European partners even stressed that the relevant draft law had sat idle in parliament for almost a year.
At the beginning of last year, the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources emphasised that if Ukraine continued to postpone ratification of the Kigali Amendment, this could seriously impact its economy and industry. The reason is that otherwise, the country would have to reduce hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) consumption at a much faster rate, without the time needed for a gradual adaptation.
Officials gave the following example: if the amendment is ratified in 2025, Ukraine would need to reduce HFC consumption by about 40% from the baseline level. However, if the decision is delayed until 2029, the required reduction would rise to 70% – and this would need to be achieved almost without a transition period.
There is also an economic aspect. Starting January 1, 2028, the European Union plans to restrict trade with countries that have not joined the Kigali Amendment. And from 2033, imports and exports of these substances could be banned at the global level.
That is why ratifying this international document is crucial not only for environmental protection but also for the development of the Ukrainian economy. Without it, Ukraine risks losing access to international markets, investment, and modern technologies.
Although transitioning to new refrigerants will require some investment, in the long term this will help promote the adoption of energy-efficient equipment and the development of a market for modern environmental technologies.
It should be recalled that in March of last year, the Verkhovna Rada Committees on Foreign Policy and Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation, and on Environmental Policy and Nature Management supported the presidential draft law No. 0303 on the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. However, it reached the Verkhovna Rada chamber only after a year-in March of the current year. The deputies failed to adopt this document, as only 208 members of parliament voted in favor.
