WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-chair of the Climate Solutions Caucus, voted today to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The amendment phases down the use of powerful greenhouse gasses called hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and aligns with existing bipartisan law.

“It’s a great day for the planet, for American manufacturers, and for Delaware,” said Senator Coons. “Paring down hydrofluorocarbons is one of the single most impactful steps we can take. Not only will it help us avoid 0.5 degrees Celsius in warming, but it will also create thousands of new jobs in manufacturing the next generation of heating, ventilation, and refrigeration products – including in Delaware, where Chemours created a refrigerant with low global warming potential known as Opteon. I’m proud to see a vast majority of my colleagues support this effort to protect our planet and secure America’s place as a global leader in key manufacturing industries, and I’m grateful to Senators Carper and Kennedy for their leadership to get this done.”

Earlier this year, Senator Coons led a letter with several fellow members of the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus to urge ratification of the Kigali Amendment. Today’s vote will safeguard U.S. export access in other countries that have ratified the Kigali Amendment and help ramp up U.S. production of alternatives to HFCs. It is estimated that implementation of the Kigali Amendment will add 33,000 new jobs and $1.2 billion in direct output to the U.S. economy, while also generating a 25 percent increase in exports of American-made refrigerators, air conditioners, and other products.