United Nations Environment Programme
   Ozone Secretariat

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987) is recognized as very successful in preventing a global environmental catastrophe which could have been caused by stratospheric ozone depletion. Action was taken before the adverse effects of the stratospheric ozone depletion became pronounced. To date 190 Parties have ratified the ozone treaties aimed at protecting the ozone layer.

The Montreal Protocol has been amended four times and adjusted five times to strengthen its provisions. The Parties to the Montreal Protocol have met every year since 1989. These meetings have taken several decisions to clarify issues relating to the protection of the ozone layer and to strengthen the implementation of the Protocol.

This Handbook, which updates the 2003 edition, incorporates all the adjustments, amendments and the decisions of the Parties up to the end of 2005. In addition, it gives valuable information on the implementation of these international environmental treaties. In this single volume, anyone interested in the issue can find the details of legal and policy actions taken by the world community to protect the ozone layer.

Ozone Secretariat
United Nations Environment Programme

P. O. Box 30552, Nairobi, 00100 Kenya
Tel: (254 20) 762 3851
Fax: (254 20) 762 4691 / 4692 / 4693
http://ozone.unep.org or
http://www.unep.ch/ozone or
http://www.unep.org/ozone
Email: ozoneinfo@unep.org

978-92-807-2770-8
OZO/0887/NA