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 XXVII/9: Data and information provided by the parties in accordance with Article 7 of the Montreal Protocol

Noting with appreciation that 193 of the 197 parties that should have reported data for 2014 have done so and that 84 of those parties reported their data by 30 June 2015 in accordance with decision XV/15,

Noting that 140 of those parties reported their data by 30 September 2015 as required under paragraph 3 of Article 7 of the Montreal Protocol,

Noting with concern, however, that the following parties have not reported 2014 data: Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Somalia and Yemen,

Noting that their failure to report their 2014 data in accordance with Article 7 places those parties in non-compliance with their data‑reporting obligations under the Montreal Protocol until such time as the Secretariat receives their outstanding data,

Noting also that a lack of timely data reporting by parties impedes the effective monitoring and assessment of parties’ compliance with their obligations under the Montreal Protocol,

Noting further that reporting by 30 June each year greatly facilitates the work of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol in assisting parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol to comply with the Protocol’s control measures,

  1. To urge the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Somalia and Yemen, where appropriate, to work closely with the implementing agencies to report the required data to the Secretariat as a matter of urgency;
  2. To request the Implementation Committee to review the situation of those parties listed in paragraph 1 above at its fifty-sixth meeting;
  3. To encourage parties to continue to report consumption and production data as soon as figures are available, and preferably by 30 June each year, as agreed in decision XV/15;