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/6: Ongoing emissions of carbon tetrachloride

Recalling decisions XVI/14, XVIII/10, XXI/8, XXIII/8 and XXVII/7, in which the Meeting of the Parties, inter alia, requested the assessment panels to assess global emissions, including emissions of carbon tetrachloride, and to suggest measures for reducing carbon tetrachloride emissions, and encouraged the parties to review their relevant national data,

  1. To invite parties that have production of carbon tetrachloride, as well as by-production, or use of carbon tetrachloride as a feedstock for other substances or as a process agent, to provide to the Ozone Secretariat on a voluntary basis, by 1 February 2023, information on the national procedures and frameworks in place for the management of such activities in their respective countries;
  2. To request the Secretariat to share with the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel the information received in accordance with paragraph 1 of the present decision;
  3. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to review the information received and to present that information in its 2023 progress report for consideration by the Open‑ended Working Group at its forty-fifth meeting.