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: Nineteenth Meeting of the Parties (Montreal, 17 - 21 September 2007)

Source(s)
Annex to decision XIX/9

Table A. 2008 agreed critical-use categories (metric tonnes)

Australia

Rice (1.80)*

Canada

Pasta (6.067)

Israel

Dates (1.800), Flour mills (0.312), Broomrape (250.000), Cucumber – protected (18.750), Cut flowers – bulbs – protected (114.450), Cut-flowers – open field (44.750), Melon – protected and field (87.500), Potato (93.750), Sweet potatoes (111.500), Strawberry runners (Sharon and Gaza) (31.900), Strawberry fruit – protected (Sharon and Gaza) (105.960),

Poland

Coffee and cocoa beans (0.500), Medicinal herbs and mushrooms (0.500), Strawberry runners (11.995)

Spain

Cut flowers (Andalucia and Catalonia) (17.000), Strawberry runners (215.000), Strawberry and pepper – research (0.151)

* This amount was first approved in decision XVIII/13, conditional on the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel’s 2007 progress report.

Table B: 2008 permitted levels of production and consumption (metric tonnes)

Australia

1.80**

Canada

6.067

Israel

860.672

Poland *

12.995

Spain *

232.151

* The production and consumption of the European Community shall not exceed 245.146 metric tonnes for the purposes of the agreed critical uses.

** This amount was first approved in decision XVIII/13, conditional on the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel’s 2007 progress report.

Table C: 2009 agreed critical-use categories (metric tonnes)

Australia

Strawberry runners (29.790), Rice (7.820)

Canada

Mills (26.913), Strawberry runners (Prince Edward Island) (7.462)

Japan

Chestnuts (5.800), Cucumbers (34.300), Ginger – field (63.056), Ginger – protected (8.325), Melons (91.100), Peppers green and hot (81.149), Watermelon (21.650)

United States of America

Commodities (45.623), NPMA food processing structures (cocoa beans removed) (54.606), Mills and processors (291.418), Dried cured pork (18.998), Cucurbits (407.091), Eggplant – field (48.691), Forest nursery seedlings (122.060), Nursery stock – fruit, nut, flower (25.326), Orchard replant (292.756), Ornamentals (107.136), Peppers – field (548.984), Strawberries – field (1,269.321), Strawberry runners (7.944), Tomatoes – field (1,003.876), Sweet potato slips (18.144)

Table D: 2009 permitted levels of production and consumption (metric tonnes)

Australia

37.610

Canada

34.375

Japan

305.380

United States of America

3,961.974*

* Minus available stocks