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 XXI/29: Institutional strengthening

Taking into account that the Parties to the Montreal Protocol have assumed a firm commitment to recover and protect the ozone layer, Acknowledging that institutional strengthening support from the Multilateral Fund has played a paramount role in acquiring and enhancing the capacity of national ozone units to allow Article 5 Parties to comply with their commitments to ODS phase-out,

Recognizing the heavy workload and future challenges that Article 5 Parties still have to face looking towards the consolidation of CFC, halon and carbon tetrachloride phase-out, the phase-out of methyl bromide and the accelerated HCFC phase-out,

Acknowledging that decision 57/36 of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund limits fund requests for the renewal of institutional strengthening projects up to the end of December 2010 at current levels,

Recognizing that such a decision could have an impact on Article 5 Parties’ capacity to handle the complexity involved in ozone-depleting substance phase-out,

  1. To urge the Executive Committee to extend financial support for institutional strengthening funding for Article 5 Parties beyond 2010;
  2. To urge the Executive Committee to finalize its consideration of funding of institutional strengthening projects as expeditiously as possible, taking into account current and emerging challenges;
  3. To recommend that the Executive Committee does not require that institutional strengthening funding be incorporated within funding for HCFC phase-out management plans only, but allows flexibility for an Article 5 party to do so if it so chooses.