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 XXX/11: Timeline for reporting of baseline data for hydrofluorocarbons by parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol

Noting that it is preferable for parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol that ratify the Kigali Amendment before the end of their respective applicable baseline years to provide actual baseline data for the controlled substances in Annex F (hydrofluorocarbons) when those data become available,

Recognizing that hydrofluorocarbons data will be reported annually, pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article 7 of the Montreal Protocol as amended by the Kigali Amendment, not later than nine months after the end of each year,

Recognizing also that by decision XV/15 parties were encouraged to forward data on production and consumption to the Secretariat as soon as the data are available, and preferably by 30 June of each year,

In order to allow parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 to report actual baseline data for hydrofluorocarbons, to request the Implementation Committee and the Meeting of the Parties to defer, for each year of the applicable baseline period, consideration of the status of the reporting of hydrofluorocarbon baseline data under paragraph 2 of Article 7 until nine months after the end of each baseline year as applicable to the group of parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 in question;