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 XXVIII/10: Non-compliance by Israel with its data and information reporting obligations

Noting that Israel ratified the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the London Amendment on 30 June 1992, the Copenhagen Amendment on 5 April 1995, the Montreal Amendment on 28 May 2003 and the Beijing Amendment on 15 April 2004 and is classified as a party not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol,

  1. To note with concern that Israel has not reported on its use of controlled substances as process agents in 2014 and 2015, as required by paragraph 4 (a) of decision X/14, and to note that Israel’s failure to report the required information placed the party in non-compliance with its reporting obligations under that decision;
  2. Also to note with concern that Israel has not yet provided the information required under paragraph 3 of decision XXII/20 on the measures that it has in place to avoid the diversion to unauthorized uses of 17.3 ODP-tonnes of excess production of bromochloromethane stockpiled in 2014;
  3. To express its concern at Israel’s repeated failure to respond to the requests for information recorded in recommendations 55/4, 56/5 and 56/7 of the Implementation Committee;
  4. To request Israel to submit to the Secretariat as soon as possible, and no later than 31 March 2017, the outstanding information on:
    1. Its use of controlled substances as process agents in 2014 and 2015, as required by paragraph 4 (a) of decision X/14;
    2. The measures it has put in place to avoid the diversion to unauthorized uses of the 17.3 ODP-tonnes of excess production of bromochloromethane stockpiled in 2014, in accordance with paragraph 3 of decision XXII/20;
  5. To request the Implementation Committee to review the situation of Israel at its fifty-eighth meeting;