The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a global agreement to protect the Earth’s ozone layer by phasing out the chemicals that deplete it. This phase-out plan includes both the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. The landmark agreement was signed in 1987 and entered into force in 1989.

The parties to the Protocol meet once a year to make decisions aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the agreement. These include adjusting or amending the Protocol, which has been done six times since its creation. The most recent amendment, the Kigali Amendment, called for the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in 2016. These HFCs were used as replacements for a batch of ozone-depleting substances eliminated by the original Montreal Protocol. Although they do not deplete the ozone layer, they are known to be powerful greenhouse gases and, thus, contributors to climate change.

The Montreal Protocol provided a set of practical, actionable tasks that were universally agreed on. The Protocol has successfully met its objectives thus far and continues to safeguard the ozone layer today. Thanks to the collaborative effort of nations around the world, the ozone layer is well on its way to recovery.

Decision XVIII/33: Non-compliance with data-reporting requirements for the purpose of establishing baselines under paragraphs 3 and 8 ter (d) of Article 5 by Serbia

  1. To note that Serbia has not reported the data required for the establishment of baselines for the controlled substances in Annex B (other CFCs, carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform) for the years 1998 and 1999, as provided for by paragraphs 3 and 8 ter (d) of Article5 of the Montreal Protocol;
  2. To note that the failure to report such data places Serbia in non-compliance with its data‑reporting obligations under the Protocol until such time as the Secretariat receives the outstanding data;
  3. To stress that compliance by Serbia with the Protocol cannot be evaluated without the outstanding data;
  4. To acknowledge that Serbia has only recently ratified the amendments to the Protocol that require it to report data on the controlled substances indicated in paragraph 1 of the present decision and also that Serbia has recently experienced a considerable change in its national circumstances in connection with which it has undertaken to continue the legal personality of the former Serbia and Montenegro in respect of the Protocol for the territory under its control effective 3 June 2006, but also to note that the Party has received assistance with data collection from the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol through the Fund's implementing agencies;
  5. To urge Serbia to work together with the United Nations Environment Programme under that agency’s Compliance Assistance Programme and with other implementing agencies of the Multilateral Fund to report the data, as a matter of urgency, to the Secretariat;
  6. To request the Implementation Committee under the Non-compliance Procedure of the Montreal Protocol to review the situation of Serbia with respect to data reporting at its next meeting;