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 XIV/10: Relationship between efforts to protect the stratospheric ozone layer and efforts to safeguard the global climate system: issues relating to hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons

The Fourteenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. XIV/10:

Welcoming decision X/CP.8 taken by the eighth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on the relationship between efforts to protect the stratospheric ozone layer and efforts to safeguard the global climate system,

Noting that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel are invited by the Convention on Climate Change to develop a balanced scientific, technical and policy-relevant special report as outlined in their responses to a request by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice of the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC/SBSTA/2002/MISC.23),

To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to work with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in preparing the report mentioned above and to address all areas in one single integrated report to be finalized by early 2005. The report should be completed in time to be submitted to the Open-ended Working Group for consideration in so far as it relates to actions to address ozone depletion and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice of the Convention on Climate Change simultaneously.