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 (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) (1998)

Source(s)
Annex V: Declaration on hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) - Tenth Meeting of the Parties

by

AUSTRIA, AZERBAIJAN, BELGIUM, BOLIVIA, BOTSWANA, BULGARIA, COSTA RICA, CROATIA, CUBA, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, ESTONIA, EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GEORGIA, GREECE, HUNGARY, ICELAND,

IRELAND, ITALY, LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC, LATVIA,

LESOTHO, LIECHTENSTEIN, LITHUANIA, LUXEMBOURG, MADAGASCAR,

NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, POLAND, ROMANIA, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA,

SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, UNITED KINGDOM

AND UZBEKISTAN

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

Concerned about the continuing depletion of the ozone layer of both the northern and southern hemispheres,

Mindful of the scientific indications that global warming could delay the recovery of the ozone layer,

Being aware that further reductions in the emissions of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) would have a beneficial effect on the ozone layer, especially in the coming years when chlorine concentrations in the stratosphere will reach a critical maximum,

Being also aware that more environmentally sound alternative substances and technologies are commercially available for virtually all HCFC applications and are being increasingly used,

Noting that Annex A to the Kyoto Protocol includes hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) in view of their high global-warming potential,

Concerned that a large number of projects using HCFCs, in particular HCFC-141b, have been funded by the Multilateral Fund, where other, more environmentally friendly, alternatives or technologies are available,

1. Call upon all bodies of the Montreal Protocol not to support the use of transitional substances (HCFCs) where more environmentally friendly alternatives or technologies are available;

2. Urge all Parties to the Montreal Protocol to consider all ODS replacement technologies, taking into account their total global-warming potential, so that the use of alternatives with a high contribution to global warming should be discouraged where other, more environmentally friendly, safe and technically and economically feasible alternatives or technologies are available.

Cairo, 24 November 1998