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/12: Consideration of hydrofluorocarbons not listed as controlled substances in Annex F to the Protocol

Recalling decision XXVIII/1, by which the Meeting of the Parties adopted the amendment to the Montreal Protocol on phasing down hydrofluorocarbons listed in Annex F to the Protocol,

Acknowledging that the substances listed in Annex F to the Protocol include those hydrofluorocarbons that are at present commercially in use,

Noting, however, that there are other hydrofluorocarbons not listed in Annex F to the Protocol, which at present have minimal or no known production or consumption, which have global warming potential no less than the lowest global warming potential of the hydrofluorocarbons listed in Annex F,

To request the assessment panels under the Montreal Protocol to provide in their quadrennial reports to be presented to the Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the Parties, in 2023, and every four years thereafter, information on the consumption and production of hydrofluorocarbons not listed in Annex F of the Protocol which have global warming potential no less than the lowest global warming potential of the hydrofluorocarbons listed in Annex F, noting that this is for information purposes only, given that the substances referred to in the present paragraph are not included in Annex F;