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/18: Potential non-compliance in 2006 with the provisions of the Montreal Protocol in respect of consumption of the controlled substances in Annex A, group I, (chlorofluorocarbons) by Solomon Islands and request for a plan of action and data for the year 2007

Noting that Solomon Islands ratified the Montreal Protocol on 17 June 1993, the London Amendment on 17 August 1999 and the Copenhagen Amendment on 17 August 1999, is classified as a Party operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol and had its country programme approved by the Executive Committee in March 2002,

Noting also that the Executive Committee has approved $119,233 from the Multilateral Fund to enable Solomon Islands’ compliance in accordance with Article 10 of the Protocol,

Noting further that Solomon Islands has reported annual consumption for the controlled substance in Annex A, group I (chlorofluorocarbons), for 2006 of 1.4 ODP tonnes, which exceeds the Party’s maximum allowable consumption level of 1.1 ODP tonnes for that controlled substance for that year and that in the absence of further clarification Solomon Islands is therefore presumed to be in non‑compliance with the control measures under the Protocol,

Noting that Solomon Islands has still not reported its ozone-depleting substances data for 2007 in accordance with Article 7 of the Protocol, thereby placing the Party in non‑compliance with its data‑reporting obligations under the Montreal Protocol,

  1. To request Solomon Islands to submit to the Secretariat, as a matter of urgency and no later than 31March 2009, for consideration by the Implementation Committee at its next meeting, an explanation for its excess consumption in 2006, together with a plan of action with time-specific benchmarks to ensure the Party’s prompt return to compliance;
  2. To request Solomon Islands further to report the outstanding data for 2007 as a matter of urgency, and preferably no later than 31 March 2009, in time for consideration by the Implementation Committee at its forty-second meeting;
  3. To monitor closely the progress of Solomon Islands with regard to the phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons. To the degree that the Party is working toward and meeting the specific Protocol control measures, it should continue to be treated in the same manner as a Party in good standing. In that regard, Solomon Islands should continue to receive international assistance to enable it to meet its commitments in accordance with item A of the indicative list of measures that may be taken by a Meeting of the Parties in respect of non‑compliance;
  4. To caution Solomon Islands, in accordance with item B of the indicative list of measures, that in the event that it fails to return to compliance in a timely manner the Meeting of the Parties will consider measures consistent with itemC of the indicative list of measures. Those measures may include the possibility of actions available under Article4, such as ensuring that the supply of the chlorofluorocarbons that is the subject of non‑compliance is ceased so that exporting Parties are not contributing to a continuing situation of non‑compliance;