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 XXIX/10: Issues related to energy efficiency while phasing down hydrofluorocarbons

Recalling decision XXVIII/2, in which the Meeting of the Parties, inter alia, requested the Executive Committee to develop cost guidance associated with maintaining and/or enhancing the energy efficiency of low-global-warming-potential (GWP) or zero-GWP replacement technologies and equipment when phasing down hydrofluorocarbons, while taking note of the role of other institutions addressing energy efficiency, when appropriate,

Recognizing the importance of maintaining and/or enhancing energy efficiency while transitioning away from high-GWP hydrofluorocarbons to low-GWP alternatives in the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump sectors,

Noting that the use of air conditioning and refrigeration is growing in countries operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5,

Recognizing that maintaining and/or enhancing energy efficiency could have significant climate benefits,

  1. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel in relation to maintaining and/or enhancing energy efficiency in the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump sectors, including in high-ambient-temperature conditions, while phasing down hydrofluorocarbons under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5, to assess the following items:
    1. Technology options and requirements including:
      1. Challenges to their uptake;
      2. Their long-term sustainable performance and viability;
      3. Their environmental benefits in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents;
    2. Capacity-building and servicing sector requirements in the refrigeration and air-conditioning and heat-pump sectors;
    3. Related costs including capital and operating costs;
  2. Also to request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to provide an overview of the activities and funding provided by other relevant institutions, as well as definitions, criteria and methodologies used in addressing energy efficiency in the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump sectors in relation to maintaining and/or enhancing energy efficiency in the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump sectors while phasing down hydrofluorocarbons under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, as well as those related to low-GWP and zero-GWP hydrofluorocarbon alternatives including on different financing modalities;
  3. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to prepare a final report for consideration by the Open-ended Working Group at its fortieth meeting, and thereafter an updated final report to be submitted to the Thirtieth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer taking into consideration the outcome of the workshop described in paragraph 4 below;
  4. To request the Secretariat to organize a workshop on energy efficiency opportunities while phasing down hydrofluorocarbons at the fortieth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group;