Nearly 200 countries including India have reached a historic agreement to reduce greenhouse gases used in refrigerators and air-conditioners. <br/><br/>The agreement, to reduce hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) announced yesterday at a climate meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, is considered a major step in the fight against climate change. This will help the planet avoid 0.5 degree Celsius of warming and complement the Paris agreement on climate change.<br/><br/>India has succeeded in extracting a longer time-frame to phase out HFC gases compared to China and developed countries. New Delhi has to cut HFCs by 85 per cent by 2047 over a 2024-26 baseline. <br/><br/>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described the Kigali agreement as historic. In a series of tweets, Mr Modi said, the deal will provide a mechanism for countries like India to access and develop technologies that leave a low carbon footprint. <br/><br/>He said, the agreement will lead to a reduction of 0.5 degree in global temperature by the end of the century and enable us to achieve the goals set in Paris. <br/><br/>Mr Modi congratulated all countries for having come together on this critical issue, which will contribute to a greener Earth. <br/><br/>Prime Minister said, the flexibility and cooperation shown by India as well as other countries has created this fair, equitable and ambitious HFC agreement. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is legally binding and will come into force from 1st of January, 2019.