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/5: Access of parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol to energy-efficient technologies in the refrigeration, air‑conditioning and heat-pump sectors

Noting that the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol will enter into force on 1 January 2019, 

Noting also the opportunities cited by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel in its May 2018 report and the September 2018 revision of that report, where it is noted that several categories of enabling activities can potentially serve to promote energy efficiency,

Acknowledging the Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion:2018, which notes that improvements in the energy efficiency of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment during the transition to low-global-warming-potential alternative refrigerants can potentially double the climate benefits of the Kigali Amendment,

Taking note of paragraphs 16 and 22 of decision XXVIII/2,

  1. To request the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund to consider flexibility within the financial support provided through enabling activities for HFCs to enable parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol who wish to do so, to use part of that support for energy efficiency policy and training support as it relates to the phase-down of controlled substances, such as:
    1. Developing and enforcing policies and regulations to avoid the market penetration of energy-inefficient refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump equipment;
    2. Promoting access to energy-efficient technologies in those sectors;
    3. Targeted training on certification, safety and standards, awareness-raising and capacity-building aimed at maintaining and enhancing energy efficiency;
  2. To request the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund to consider, within the context of paragraph 16 of decision XXVIII/2, increasing the funding provided to low-volume consuming countries to assist them in implementing the activities outlined in paragraph 1 of the present decision;
  3. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to prepare a report on the cost and availability of low-global-warming-potential technologies and equipment that maintain or enhance energy efficiency, inter alia, covering various refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump sectors, in particular domestic air-conditioning and commercial refrigeration, taking into account geographical regions, including countries with high-ambient-temperature conditions;
  4. To continue supporting stand-alone projects in parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 in accordance with Executive Committee decision 79/45;
  5. To request the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund to build on its ongoing work of reviewing servicing projects to identify best practices, lessons learned and additional opportunities for maintaining energy efficiency in the servicing sector, and related costs;
  6. Also to request the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund to take into account the information provided by demonstration and stand-alone projects in order to develop cost guidance related to maintaining or enhancing the energy efficiency of replacement technologies and equipment when phasing-down hydrofluorocarbons;
  7. Further to request the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund, in dialogue with the Ozone Secretariat, to liaise with other funds and financial institutions to explore mobilizing additional resources and, as appropriate, set up modalities for cooperation, such as co-funding arrangements, to maintain or enhance energy efficiency when phasing down HFCs, acknowledging that activities to assist parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 in complying with their obligations under the Montreal Protocol will continue to be funded under the Multilateral Fund in accordance with its guidelines and decisions;