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/2: Adjustments to the Montreal Protocol

Recalling paragraph 12 of decision XIX/6, which agreed to address the possibilities or need for essential use exemptions, no later than 2015 where this relates to Article 2 parties, and no later than 2020 where this relates to Article 5 parties, 

Recalling also paragraph 13 of decision XIX/6, which agreed to review in 2015 the need for the 0.5 per cent for servicing provided for in paragraph 3 and to review in 2025 the need for the annual average of 2.5 per cent for servicing provided for in paragraph 4 (d),

Noting the report by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel in 2018 that highlighted the continued need of Annex C, Group I substances for laboratory and analytical uses after 2020 as well as the continued need of Annex C, Group I substances for servicing of fire protection and fire suppression equipment and some other niche applications for parties operating under Article 2 of the Protocol,

Recognizing that parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 may have needs for Annex C, Group I substances in the same applications listed in Article 2F paragraph 6 and those needs will be reviewed in accordance with paragraphs 12 and 13 of decision XIX/6,

Recognizing also the importance of parties’ efforts to encourage the development and use of alternatives to Annex C, Group I substances,

Recalling paragraphs 6 to 8 of decision XXVIII/2 on the linkages between hydrofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbon reduction schedules and the provision of flexibility if no other technically proven and economically viable alternatives are available and noting that under decision XXVIII/2 paragraphs 26 to 37 an exemption is available to high ambient temperature parties,

  1. To adopt, in accordance with the procedure set out in paragraph 9 of Article 2 of the Montreal Protocol, the adjustments of production and consumption of the controlled substances listed in Annex C, Group I to the Protocol as set out in annex I to the report of the Thirtieth Meeting of the Parties;[1]
  2. To encourage the development and use of alternatives to Annex C, Group I substances in the non-servicing applications set out in Article 2F, paragraphs 6 (a) (iii) and 6 (a) (iv) and 6 (b) (iii) and 6 (b) (iv) with a view to reducing and ceasing the use of Annex C, Group I substances in those applications;
  3. To urge the recovery, recycling and reclamation of Annex C, Group I substances as well as the use of stocks and alternatives, where available and appropriate, in order to reduce the production and consumption of Annex C, Group I substances;
  4. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to provide in its quadrennial reports to be presented to the Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the Parties in 2023 and to the Thirty-Ninth Meeting of the Parties in 2027 information on the availability of Annex C, Group I substances, including amounts available from recovery, recycling and reclamation, and best available information on country-level and total known stocks, as well as availability of alternative options for the applications described in Article 2F paragraphs 6 (a) and 6 (b);
  5. To examine the flexibility of the HCFC schedule adjustment in line with the Kigali Amendment;

    6. [1] UNEP/OzL.Pro.30/11.

Annex I:    Adjustments to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer relating to the controlled substances in Annex C, Group I, for parties not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5