Tajikistan Signs Deal to Cut Potent Greenhouse Gases

Tajikistan has taken a major step toward combating climate change by signing an agreement to gradually reduce hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), highly potent greenhouse gases used in cooling systems.

The deal was signed on January 12 in Dushanbe by the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of Tajikistan and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), The Caspian Post reports via Tajik media.

The agreement launches the “Integrated Program for the Reduction of Hydrofluorocarbons and Sustainable Cooling in Tajikistan,” financed by the Global Environment Facility. The initiative is designed to help Tajikistan meet its international climate obligations under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, aiming to cut HFC use by 70 per cent by 2029.

Hydrofluorocarbons are synthetic compounds widely used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and other cooling equipment, but they are among the most powerful greenhouse gases, significantly impacting the global climate.

The program will strengthen controls on HFC imports, improve refrigerant management throughout their lifecycle, and promote a shift to energy-efficient, eco-friendly cooling technologies. Experts expect the initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost energy efficiency, and advance green technology development, while enhancing Tajikistan’s climate resilience.

The project also supports the country’s National Development Strategy until 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Tajikistan ratified the Kigali Amendment on June 30, 2022, becoming the 136th country to commit to the phased reduction of hydrofluorocarbons.

This agreement positions Tajikistan as a proactive player in global climate action, combining environmental protection with sustainable technological advancement.