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 XXXIV/1: Recognition of the achievements of Paul Jozef Crutzen, Mario José Molina and Frank Sherwood Rowland, winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995

Deeply grateful for the pioneering contributions and the extraordinary, visionary and courageous scientific work of scientists Paul Jozef Crutzen (Netherlands), Mario José Molina (Mexico) and Frank Sherwood Rowland (United States of America) throughout their careers in atmospheric chemistry, and particularly for their work concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone, which led to their being awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995,

Aware that their scientific work paved the way for global action to protect the ozone layer and led to the adoption of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and that, furthermore, their work spurred related action by every United Nations Member State as a party to those global environmental treaties,

Acknowledging the importance of continuing work to restore the ozone layer and the many associated benefits of such work to the planet and therefore to humanity,

  1. To express recognition of and gratitude for the invaluable scientific contributions of Paul Jozef Crutzen, Mario José Molina and Frank Sherwood Rowland, which inspired countries around the world to join in solidarity and cooperation to protect the ozone layer from depletion, thus making the planet safer for present and future generations;
  2. To uphold their legacy by maintaining mutual trust in and commitment to the work of the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol;
  3. To strive to continue to strengthen the institutions that their achievements helped to establish in order to achieve the aims of those institutions and protect the atmosphere for the benefit of all.