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.

Critical use exemptions: Twenty-Second Meeting of the Parties (Bangkok, 8-12 November 2010)

Source(s)
Annex to decision XXII/6

Table A
Agreed critical-use categories for 2011 (metric tonnes)

Australia Strawberry runners (5.950)
Canada Pasta (2.084)
Israel Broomrape - protected (12.500), cucumbers (12.500), cut flowers and bulbs - protected (52.330), cut flowers - open field (23.292), melons - protected and open field (35.000), strawberry fruit - Sharon and Gaza (41.875), strawberry runners - Sharon and Gaza (27.000), sweet potatoes (20.000)

Table B
Permitted levels of production and consumption for 2011 (metric tonnes)

Australia 5.950
Canada 2.084
Israel 224.497

Table C
Agreed critical-use categories for 2012 (metric tonnes)

Australia Strawberry runners (29.760), rice (3.653)
Canada Mills (11.020), strawberry runners (Prince Edward Island) (5.261)
Japan Chestnuts (3.489), cucumbers (26.162), ginger - field (42.235), ginger - protected (6.558), melons (67.936), peppers - green and hot (61.154), watermelons (12.075)
United States of America Commodities (2.419), National Pest Management Association food-processing structures (0.200), mills and processors (74.510), dried cured pork (3.730), cucurbits (59.500), eggplant - field (6.904), forest nursery seedlings (34.230), nursery stock - fruit, nuts, flowers (1.591), orchard replants (18.324), ornamentals (48.164), peppers - field (28.366), strawberry - field (678.004), strawberry runners (3.752), tomatoes - field (54.423), sweet potato slips (8.709)

Table D
Permitted levels of production and consumption for 2012 (metric tonnes)

Australia 33.413
Canada 16.281
Japan 219.609
United States of America 922.826*

[* Minus available stocks.]