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 XVII/20: Data and information provided by the Parties in accordance with Article 7 of the Montreal Protocol

The Seventeenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. XVII/20:

  1. To note with appreciation that 185 Parties out of the 188 that should have reported data for 2004 have done so, and that 114 of those Parties reported their data by 30 June 2005 in conformance with decision XV/15;
  2. To note, however, that the following Parties have still not reported 2004 data: Cook Islands, Mozambique, Nauru;
  3. To note that this places the Parties listed in paragraph 2 in non-compliance with their data-reporting obligations under the Montreal Protocol until such time as the Secretariat receives their outstanding data;
  4. To urge the Parties listed in paragraph 2, where appropriate, to work closely with the implementing agencies to report the required data to the Secretariat as a matter of urgency, and to request the Implementation Committee to review the situation of those Parties at its next meeting;
  5. To note also that lack of timely data reporting by Parties impedes effective monitoring and assessment of Parties’ compliance with their obligations under the Montreal Protocol;
  6. To note further that reporting by 30 June each year greatly facilitates the work of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol in assisting Parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol to comply with the Protocol’s control measures;
  7. To encourage Parties to continue to report consumption and production data as soon as figures are available, and preferably by 30 June each year, as agreed in decision XV/15.