WOD: Fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change
Montreal Protocol: fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change
On World Ozone Day 2023, we celebrate the achievements of the Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer in fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change.
The latest update from the Scientific Assessment Panel to the Montreal Protocol confirmed that ozone layer recovery is on track and ozone levels are expected to return to 1980 levels by around 2066 over the Antarctic.
By banning ozone-depleting substances and allowing the ozone layer to slowly recover, the treaty is also protecting millions of people from skin cancer and eye cataracts, safeguarding ecosystems and slowing down climate change – as many ozone-depleting substances were also climate warming gases.
However, the work and the benefits of the Montreal Protocol is far from over. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol aims to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – powerful climate-warming gases that replaced ozone-depleting substances in the cooling industry. Universal ratification of the Amendment and full implementation are crucial, for multiple reasons.
The planet is heating up, which increases the need for air-conditioning in homes, schools and workplaces. At the same time, expanding access to sustainable cold chain – to keep food fresh and vaccines viable – is essential to meet sustainable development aspirations. This growth in cooling must be sustainable, which means both finding safe and environmentally friendly alternatives to HFCs and increasing the energy efficiency of cooling equipment. By phasing down HFCs, the Kigali Amendment may result in avoidance of up to 0.5°C of warming by 2100. Implementing energy efficiency measures could potentially double this figure.
The conclusion is clear: for nearly 4 decades, the Montreal Protocol has been instrumental – and will continue to be instrumental – in protecting human health, nature and the climate.
Theme in the six UN official languages
The theme for the 2023 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, to be marked on 16 September, is Montreal Protocol: fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change.
This reiterates the recent finding by the Scientific Assessment Panel of the positive impact the Montreal Protocol has on climate change, that ozone recovery is on track and how climate challenges can be supported through the Kigali Amendment.
Arabic
بروتوكول مونتريال: إصلاح طبقة الأوزون والحد من تغير المناخ
Chinese
蒙特利尔议定书：修复臭氧层，减缓气候变化
English
Montreal Protocol: fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change
French
Protocole de Montréal: restaurer la couche d'ozone et réduire le changement climatique
Russian
Монреальский протокол: восстанавливает озоновый слой и уменьшает изменение климата
Spanish
Protocolo de Montreal: reparar la capa de ozono y reducir el cambio climático
Arabic
بروتوكول مونتريال
16 سبتمبر 2023
اليوم العالمي للأوزون
Chinese
蒙特利尔议定书
2023年9月16日
世界臭氧日
English
The Montreal Protocol
16 September 2023
World Ozone Day
French
Le Protocole de Montréal
16 septembre 2023
Journée mondiale de l'ozone
Russian
Монреальский протокол
16 сентября 2023 г
Всемирный день озонового слоя
Spanish
El Protocolo de Montreal
16 de septiembre de 2023
Día Mundial de la Capa de Ozono
Activities
By Parties/Countries
Armenia: Report
Central African Republic: Declaration
China: Video
Colombia: INFORME CELEBRACIÓN
Kyrgyzstan: Report
Lebanon: Video
Nigeria: Photos | Video1 | Video2
Poland: World Ozone Day Pullout 1 | World Ozone Day Pullout 2 | World Ozone Day Pullout 3 | World Ozone Day Pullout 4
Spain: Poster | Video | Leaflet 1 | Leaflet 2 | The UN Secretary-General´s message (Spanish)
