Heinrich Statement On The Ratification Of The Kigali Amendment To The Montreal Protocol

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after yesterday’s Senate vote to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which will help create new American jobs, spur investments in U.S. businesses, and fight against climate change:

“The Senate voted to ratify the historic Kigali Amendment, an international agreement to phase down the use of climate-warming hydroflourocarbons--or HFCs--chemicals primarily used in coolants and refrigerants. HFCs have a harmful global warming effect that is many times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

“Thankfully, the next generation of climate-friendly HFC replacements are already being made in America and sold throughout the global market. Shifting away from HFCs will stave off roughly 1 degree Fahrenheit of global warming.

“Combined with the huge investments in clean energy and electrification that we just passed in the Inflation Reduction Act, we are showing that climate action is not only possible. We are also demonstrating that we can get it done.”