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 XX/13: Reports of Parties submitted under Article 9 of the Montreal Protocol

  1. To note with appreciation the reports submitted in 2007 and 2008 by the following 18Parties in accordance with Article 9 of the Montreal Protocol: Argentina, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mexico, Namibia, Norway, Oman, Spain, SriLanka, Sweden, Thailand, Uganda and Zambia;
  2. To recall that paragraph 3 of Article 9 states that, every two years after entry into force of the Montreal Protocol, which entered into force in 1989, each Party shall submit to the Secretariat a summary of activities that it has conducted pursuant to that Article and that relevant activities include promotion of research and development, information exchange on technologies for reducing emissions of ozone-depleting substances, alternatives to the use of controlled substances and the costs and benefits of relevant control strategies and raising awareness of the environmental effects of emissions of controlled and other substances that deplete the ozone layer;
  3. To recognize that information relevant to the reporting obligation under paragraph 3 of Article 9 may be generated through cooperative efforts undertaken in the context of regional ozone networks, activities by ozone research managers under Article 3 of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, participation by Parties in the assessment work of both the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and the Scientific Assessment Panel under Article 6 of the Montreal Protocol and national public awareness-raising initiatives;
  4. To note that the reporting under paragraph 3 of Article 9 of the Protocol can be undertaken through electronic means;
  5. To request the Secretariat to share the information reported under paragraph 3 of Article9 of the Protocol with other Parties through the Secretariat’s website;