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 on hydrochlorofluorocarbons (1997)

Source(s)
Annex XI: Declaration on hydrochlorofluorocarbons - Ninth Meeting of the Parties

by

ARGENTINA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, BOTSWANA, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, FINLAND, FRANCE, GEORGIA, GERMANY, GHANA, GREECE, ICELAND, IRELAND, ITALY, LATVIA, LIECHTENSTEIN, LITHUANIA, LUXEMBOURG, NAMIBIA, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, POLAND, PORTUGAL, ROMANIA, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, UGANDA, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM

The above Parties present at the Ninth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol,

Concerned about the effects of HCFCs on the ozone layer,

Being aware that scientific data indicate the need for further consumption controls as well as for the introduction of production controls on HCFCs,

Being also aware that environmentally sound and economically viable alternative substances and technologies are or are rapidly becoming available,

Concerned by the absence of any results on HCFCs at the tenth anniversary meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol,

Declare their position that the Parties should, at their Eleventh Meeting, decide, on the basis of scientific evidence, the next steps to control the consumption of HCFCs, including phase-out date, reduction of the cap and use restrictions, and production controls for HCFCs.

 

Montreal, 17 September 1997