BANGKOK, 5 NOVEMBER 2024 - Parties to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol and other stakeholders convened for the combined thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention (COP13) and Thirty-Sixth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP36) in Bangkok, Thailand, from 28 October to 1 November 2024. Delegates were faced with an extensive agenda but worked hard and managed to adopt many key decisions to advance the implementation of the Convention, the Protocol and its Kigali Amendment. Some of the major issues include:
Enhancing atmospheric monitoring of substances controlled by the Protocol addressing the need to detect and attribute unexpected emissions of controlled substances. The decision adopted by the parties requests the Ozone Secretariat, in consultation with scientists and experts, to evaluate potential sites suitable for establishing new stations and to support the mapping of such locations. Parties also requested the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol to develop funding modalities to support a limited number of pilot projects to establish stations for atmospheric monitoring of controlled substances.
The Scientific Assessment and the Technology and Economic Assessment Panels of the Montreal Protocol presented findings on the HFC-23 emissions – a potent greenhouse gas largely produced as a by-product of HCFC-22 production. HCFC-22 is used widely as a refrigerant. The reports showed a much higher abundance of HFC-23 in the atmosphere than could be expected form data and information parties have reported. Parties took a decision on measures to deepen their understanding of the difference and to disseminate information on best practices and technologies for reducing HFC-23 emissions.
Based on the successful workshop on life-cycle refrigerant management (LRM) held on 27 October 2024, parties discussed the measures required to effectively manage the various components of LRM including leakage prevention; recycling, reclamation and reuse; disposal and destruction of unwanted refrigerants and end-of-life equipment; as well as financing and capacity building. Effective LRM would result in a significant avoidance of CO2e emissions, adding to the already huge contributions of the Montreal Protocol to climate change mitigation.
Other key issues addressed by the parties included reducing emissions of controlled substances from feedstock uses, the future availability of halons – a critical gas used in fire extinguishers that is running out – and their alternatives, as well as strengthening the Montreal Protocol institutions for the effective implementation and enforcement of the Protocol. The need for low global-warming-potential propellants in metered-dose-inhalers, concerns regarding the increasing very short-lived substances (VSLS) that could impact the ozone layer, possible compliance deferrals by some developing countries (Article 5, group 2 parties) before their 2028 freeze date for HFCs, avoiding imports of inefficient cooling products and equipment containing or using controlled substances, and changes to the membership of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel were also discussed and decisions were agreed.
Parties to the Vienna Convention considered the status of the General Trust Fund for Financing Activities on Research and Systematic Observations Relevant to the Vienna Convention and the recommendations of the twelfth meeting of the Ozone Research Managers from their earlier meeting in April on improving capacities and capabilities relating to the observation of the ozone layer and atmospheric monitoring of substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol, among others.
The high-level segment was opened on Thursday 31 October with statements from Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programmes (UNEP) available here and His Excellency, Mr Akanat Promphan, Minister of Industry of Thailand. Ms. Mrema urged parties to the Montreal Protocol to push for universal ratification of the Kigali Amendment by 2026 – the tenth anniversary of the Amendment – in order to reap the full benefits of its potential to contribute to the avoidance of global warming. Mr. Promphan noted with pride that his country had ratified the Amendment earlier in the year and promised that Thailand would play its part supporting climate change mitigation.
On the margins of the meeting a total of 24 side events and 9 exhibitions also took place, including a side event presenting some of the findings of an N2O Assessment undertaken by UNEP’s Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with support from the Montreal Protocol Ozone Secretariat. Many of the side events also focused on life-cycle refrigerant management, as well as advancing energy efficient cooling and sustainable cooling solutions.
The parties worked diligently throughout the week meeting in a record number of 15 contact and informal groups. The parties successfully adopted a total of 27 decisions (4 under the Vienna Convention and 23 under the Montreal Protocol) by late Friday evening.
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On 27 October, immediately prior to the COPMOP, a workshop on life-cycle refrigerant management (LRM) was convened to share information, experiences and lessons learned in relation to strengthening life-cycle refrigerant management and better understand the policy requirements, systems, best practices and standards needed for successful LRM. With innovations in the workshop format that enabled more dialogue among the participants and the use of the Mentimeter and poll questions, the workshop was successful in drawing useful outcomes which informed the discussion on LRM during the COPMOP.
About the Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol is a global agreement to protect the Earth’s ozone layer by phasing out the chemicals that deplete it. This landmark agreement entered into force in 1989, and it is one of the most successful global environmental agreements. Thanks to the collaborative effort of nations around the world, the ozone layer is on its way to recovery and many environmental and economic benefits have been achieved.
About the UN Environment Programme
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
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Keishamaza Rukikaire - Head of News and Media, UN Environment Programme
Stephanie Haysmith - Communications & Public Information Officer, Ozone Secretariat
