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.

Annex III: Statement by the delegation of the Russian Federation

The delegation of the Russian Federation, speaking also on behalf of the delegations of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, would like to make a statement explaining its position before the commencement of the procedure for adopting the HFC amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

The Russian Federation considers the Montreal Protocol an effective and successful international agreement to address the global problem of preserving the Earth's ozone layer.

Today it has been decided to address, under this global agreement on the preservation of the Earth's ozone layer, issues relating to the stabilization of climate change on Earth. This is undoubtedly a worthy and urgent task designed to help solve a global problem.

Given the results of the negotiations on the amendment we are concerned that, in the debate on the main elements of possible regulation of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol, issues relating to the financial implications of the amendment were, unfortunately, not adequately explored on terms agreed on by all the Parties.

In this connection, the delegation of the Russian Federation considers it necessary to voice a dissenting opinion on financial matters relating to the activities of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The dissenting position of the Russian Federation is based on the following two considerations:

  • HFCs do not have any destructive effects on the Earth’s ozone layer and therefore do not fall within the mandate of the Montreal Protocol, and the discussion on the HFC amendment to the Montreal Protocol has been made possible on the basis of a compromise consensus of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, which expressed a desire to contribute to solving the global problem of climate change using the mechanisms of the Montreal Protocol and the experience of cooperation within that framework. Thus, the regulation of HFCs by the Montreal Protocol will be based solely on voluntary commitments made by the Parties effectively outside the mandate of the Montreal Protocol.
  • The part of the London Amendment of 1990 to the Montreal Protocol relating to the establishment of the Multilateral Fund was accepted and ratified by the Parties exclusively to assist Article 5 countries in implementing measures for preventing the destruction of the Earth's ozone layer.

Thus, the Russian Federation believes that the replenishment of the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol by countries with obligations under the London Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in order to implement measures aimed at the regulation of HFCs must be carried out on a voluntary basis. Therefore, the Russian Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will consider such contributions to the Multilateral Fund as voluntary.