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.

Declaration by countries with economies in transition (1993)

Source(s)
Annex VIII: Declarations by the Heads of the Delegations representing countries with economies in transition - Fifth Meeting of the Parties

We, the heads of the delegations of the group of countries with economies in transition and Parties to the Montreal Protocol attending the Meeting, namely: Belarus, Bulgaria, Romania, Russian Federation and Ukraine, have discussed the state of affairs regarding the fulfilment of our countries' obligations under the Montreal Protocol,

  • Proceeding from a fundamental position in favour of the development of mutually advantageous, equitable and effective international co-operation on the protection of the ozone layer on the basis of a spirit of mutual understanding and good will,
  • Promoting, to the utmost of our efforts and available possibilities, the achievement of the goals of the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol,
  • Endeavouring to preserve the consensus among the Parties to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol on all matters under consideration,
  • Understanding that the majority of countries of the world community support the political and socio-economic changes taking place in the Eastern European countries and recognize the fact that the process of restructuring socio-economic relations takes a prolonged and difficult period of time and requires massive financial expenditure, and also cannot occur without political, economic and moral support of other countries.

We request the Parties to the Montreal Protocol to decide at the Sixth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on the question of the special status of countries with economies in transition, which would provide for concessions and a certain flexibility in the fulfilment of their obligations under the Montreal Protocol.