The Revd Dr Rachel Mash, environmental coordinator for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, reflects on this weekend’s historic international agreement to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), one of the world’s most potent greenhouse gasses.

You may never even have heard of HFCs, but believe me - this is a big deal. HFCs are known as super- greenhouse gases. They are thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide, and stay in the atmosphere for up to 14 years. The main sources of HFCs are the manufacture of, leakage from, and end of life disposal of refrigeration and air conditioning appliances. HFCs are entirely man-made - there are no natural sources.

The Kigali agreement shows that when the nations of the world come together to tackle a problem, we can make a difference. It is meaningful that an agreement has been reached at the heart of Africa in Rwanda, which will have a big impact on African countries most vulnerable to climate change. Coming so soon after the ratification of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, this gives great hope that the world is moving in the right direction. This agreement may take the equivalent of two years’ worth of carbon emissions out of the atmosphere. The process will start as early as 2019 and unlike the Paris Climate Change Agreement, this one is legally binding.

Why do we use HFCs if they are so damaging? In the late 1970s, scientists realised that our use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) was creating a potentially catastrophic hole in the ozone layer. The ozone layer protects us from the harmful effects of the sun. The international community took up the challenge and agreed on the Montreal Protocol. This was one of the most successful international collaborations to protect the environment and shows what can be done when nations work together for change.

The use of CFCs was phased out and the results have been outstanding. Scientists agree that we should see a near-complete recovery of the ozone layer by 2050 and the current hole over Antarctica is shrinking year by year.

Unfortunately, it was not realised that the replacement for CFCs, HFCs would have such a large impact on warming the planet. In Kigali, the international community again came together with a powerful agreement to cap the use of HFCs and replace them with less damaging gases.

Climate-friendly replacements are already being introduced into the market. The Kigali agreement will force manufacturers to speed up the process. Developed nations will be the first to change with developing nations being given a longer period. The new alternatives are also more energy efficient, which will keep greenhouse gasses down and save money.

It is estimated that this deal could lead to the reduction of the equivalent of 70 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere – which is about two times the carbon pollution produced annually by the entire world. It could help prevent a rise of 0.5 degree Celsius by the end of the century.

The weakness of the agreement is that developing nations have been given too long to make what is a technical shift to already existing equipment. Wealthier nations, including most of Europe and the US, have committed to reducing their use of HFCs by 10 per cent by 2019, and 85 per cent by 2036. Other signatories will freeze their use by 2024 or 2028, and gradually reduce their use thereafter. This is where we can and must put pressure on our governments to speed up the process.

In line with the fifth mark of mission – to strive to maintain the integrity of creation – here are some steps we can take as Anglicans:

• If you notice your home or car air conditioning isn’t working as well as it used to, get it professionally serviced. The technician can fix any leaks and might be able to suggest a cleaner refrigerant replacement. Make sure you are not sending HFCs into the atmosphere!
  
  
• When it comes time to replace your fridge at home or at church, request a greener alternative. In many countries new alternatives are already available.
  
  
• Find out what kind of equipment is being used at your place of work and encourage change.
  
  
• Contact your supermarket chain and find out what equipment they are using and encourage them to change. If they don’t respond, write to the papers.
  
  
• Find out what plans your municipality has for disposal of refrigeration equipment.
  
  
• If you are from a developing nation, put pressure on your department of energy to make the switch over faster than the agreement.