Government Matters: Cindy Newberg Tags: 2022 Sammies, Government Matters Series Back to All Videos In 2019, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol went into effect, with the goal of reducing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and combating climate change. Cindy Newberg, Stratospheric Protection Division director at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), helped lead negotiations for this amendment. Newberg said the EPA is successfully working with industry and environmental groups to ensure everyone has buy-in and to address the challenges of reducing HFC production.HFCs, used in air conditioning, aerosols and foam products, have significantly higher global warming potential than gases like carbon dioxide, and there are alternatives, said Newberg.The EPA has successfully phased out multiple harmful chemicals since the 1990s, she said.
