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.

Essential-use exemptions approved by the Meetings of the Parties

Source(s)
The following Annexes and Decisions of each Meeting of the Parties: Annex I (Sixth); Annex VI (Seventh); Annexes II and III (Eighth); Annex VI (Ninth); Annex I (Tenth); Annex VII (Eleventh); Annex I (Twelfth); Annex I (Thirteenth); Annex I (Fourteenth); Annex I (Fifteenth); Annexes to Decisions XVI/12 and XVII/5; Annex III (Eighteenth) and Decision XVIII/8; Annexes to Decision XIX/13; Decision XIX/14; Annex to Decision XX/2; Annex to Decision XXI/4; Decision XXI/5; paragraph 7 and Annex to Decision XXII/4; Decision XXII/5; paragraph 9 and Annex to Decision XXIII/2; Decision XXIII/3; Annex to Decision XXIV/3; Decision XXIV/4; Annex to Decision XXV/2; Decision XXV/3; Decision XXVI/3; Annex to Decision XXVI/4; Annex to Decision XXVII/2; Annex to Decision XXVIII/6; Annex to decision XXIX/5;
Party  1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
                             
Annex A, Group I (Chlorofluorocarbons) 
Australia  290 194 223 309 220 11 11 11 11          
Belgium  185                          
Canada  599 648 513 140 140                  
Denmark  5                          
European Union    6636.6 5610 5000.1 3770.1 3270 2785 2579 3928 1030 539 535 200 22
Finland  22                          
France  1864.1                          
Germany  773                          
Hungary  10 10 10.18 9.23 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75            
Ireland  409                          
Israel  7.3 7.2                        
Italy  540                          
Japan  240 240 181.5 136.5 98.2 88.2 45 40 30          
Poland  700 381.7 380 381.7 401.7 320.85 300.85 240 314          
Portugal  13.21                          
Russian Federation    532 452       396 787 378 336 400 393 352 378
South Africa  189 214 223                      
Spain  548                          
Switzerland  24 8 8           0.5          
Ukraine              144 120 83.5 53.1        
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland  3188                          
United States of America  4263 4659 4388 3905.8 3735 3101 3450 3270 2975 1902 1100 1000 385 282
                             
Annex A, Group II (Halons) 
Russian Federation  352 300 255 160 90                  
                             
Annex B, Group II (Carbon tetrachloride) 
Poland                2.05            
                             
Annex B, Group III (1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)) 
United States of America  59.7 60.5 60.1 59.6 58.4 58.4                
                             
Annex C, Group II (HBFCs) and Annex C, Group III (Bromochloromethane) 
European Union                0.025            

 

Party  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
                   
Annex A, Group I (Chlorofluorocarbons)     
Argentina  178 107.2              
Bangladesh  156.7 57 40.35            
China  972.2 741.15 532.04 388.82 235.05 182.61      
Dominican Republic  1.832                
Egypt  227.4                
India  343.6                
Iran (Islamic Republic of)  105                
Mexico    6              
Pakistan  34.9 39.6 24.1            
Russian Federation  332 312 312 307 297 75      
Syrian Arab Republic  44.68                
United States of America  92                
                   
Annex B, Group II (Carbon tetrachloride)     
China            80 70 65 65