Briefing to the 97th Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund

The 97th Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund (ExCom97) presents a critical opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative multilateralism and advance cost-effective climate and ozone mitigation at a time when global action is more urgent than ever.

With the planet already experiencing 1.25°C of warming and the latest forecasts indicating that we will breach the 1.5°C target by the end of this decade, scientific consensus underscores the need for rapid, ambitious action to avert dangerous climate tipping points.

The Multilateral Fund (MLF) remains one of the most effective mechanisms for delivering high-impact, low-cost greenhouse gas emissions reductions, with a proven track record of success. Yet the work is far from over. The phase-out of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and the transition away from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are not only essential for climate mitigation, but also for adaptation and resilience in a warming world. Cooling demand is rising globally, and without intervention, this could lock in high-emission, energy-inefficient technologies for decades.

The MLF’s role in supporting sustainable cooling solutions, technician training and lifecycle refrigerant management (LRM) is indispensable, both for environmental protection and for safeguarding lives from extreme heat.

Now is not the time to hold back. The MLF still has plenty of budget left to make a real difference in this triennium and EIA urges ExCom members to approach the question of its spending with renewed ambition.