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/17: Request for change in baseline data by Saudi Arabia

Noting that Saudi Arabia has submitted a request to revise its consumption data for the Annex E controlled substance (methyl bromide) for the baseline years 1995–1998 from 0.7 to 204.1 ODP tonnes,

Noting also that decision XV/19 of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Parties sets out the methodology for the submission and review of requests to revise baseline data,

Noting with appreciation the extensive efforts undertaken by Saudi Arabia to fulfil the information requirements of decision XV/19, in particular its efforts to verify the accuracy of its proposed new baseline data through a national survey of methyl bromide use carried out with the assistance of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme with funding from the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol,

  1. That Saudi Arabia has presented sufficient information, in accordance with decisionXV/19, to justify its request to change its baseline consumption data for methyl bromide;
  2. To change the baseline consumption data of Saudi Arabia for methyl bromide for the years 1995–1998 from 0.7 to 204.1 ODP tonnes based on the average calculated level of consumption for the following four years: 1995 – 161.8 ODP tonnes; 1996 – 222.5 ODP tonnes; 1997 –210.4ODP tonnes; 1998 – 221.7 ODP tonnes.