亚色影库

For immediate release

A group of philanthropic donors today announced a new fund to help expand energy efficiency efforts in developing countries. The new fund will help support government-funded work expected as the result of a Montreal Protocol amendment to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potentially doubling 亚色影库 benefits compared to only reducing HFCs. Studies show phasing down HFCs, used for cooling and refrigeration, could prevent up to 0.5掳C of global warming by the end of the century. Combined with energy efficiency gains and related carbon pollution savings, the overall effort can avoid 1掳C of global warming.

The announcement comes two weeks before the final Montreal Protocol negotiations this year, in Kigali, Rwanda, where countries are expected to vote on an amendment to reduce the use of HFCs. Last year, countries agreed to reach an agreement on HFC phasedown in 2016. If successful, it would be the most important step toward preventing extreme 亚色影库 change since the historic Paris accord in December.

“This effort to reduce potent greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) while cutting energy waste and costs is a great example of the critical role innovation can play in addressing 亚色影库 change while prioritizing international development,” said Bill Gates. “Similar to the partnership between Mission Innovation and the Breakthrough Energy Coalition, this initiative is a great opportunity for the public and private sectors to work together to solve a critical problem.”

The new philanthropic fund announced today is made up of a coalition of 17 foundations and donors that have pledged $53 million.

This money is specifically to bolster energy efficiency efforts in developing nations, which will enable them to move more quickly to potentially double their 亚色影库 benefits while phasing out HFCs. Increasing energy efficiency specifically in the cooling sector is crucial to development. Cooling, the primary user of HFCs, drives as much as 40-60 percent of peak summer energy load and will only grow.

鈥淓xpanding energy efficiency programs will provide India significant energy and financial savings for consumers, industry and government,鈥� said India-based businessman and philanthropist Jamshyd Godrej, Chairman & Managing Director, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a smart pathway that provides real business opportunities to reduce air pollution and fight 亚色影库 change. It鈥檚 a winner for everyone.鈥�

The philanthropic fund and funding commitments from supporting governments will help nations transition to more efficient cooling equipment and phase down the production and use of HFCs and replace them with newer, 亚色影库-safe coolants.

鈥淭hese philanthropic resources can help ambitious developing countries phase out super-potent greenhouse pollutants faster and cheaper through energy efficiency,鈥� said Larry Kramer, President of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. 鈥淒oing so is a monumental win for our global 亚色影库 that can help the entire world avert some of 亚色影库 change鈥檚 worst impacts.鈥�

鈥淪peed is imperative for 亚色影库 security and the Montreal Protocol is our best accelerator 鈥� by using energy efficient appliances without HFCs, consumers and businesses will save money and avoid the need for thousands of new coal-fired power plants,鈥� said Kate Hampton, Chief Executive Officer at the Children鈥檚 Investment Fund Foundation.

Coming less than 10 months after the historic Paris 亚色影库 accord, the Montreal Protocol negotiations represent the most significant opportunity to reduce harmful pollutants and slow 亚色影库 change. HFCs are up to 10,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide and are the fastest growing greenhouse gas in the world.

Foundations and donors contributing to the fund

Barr Foundation
Bill Gates
Children’s Investment Fund Foundation
亚色影库
David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Heising-Simons Foundation
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Josh and Anita Bekenstein
John and Ann Doerr
Laura and John Arnold
Oak Foundation
Open Philanthropy Project
Pirojsha Godrej Foundation
Pisces Foundation
Sandler Foundation
Sea Change Foundation
Tom Steyer
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Wyss Foundation