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.

Decision XVIII/9: Review of draft terms of reference for case studies called for under decision XVII/17 on environmentally sound destruction of ozone-depleting substances

Noting decision XVII/17, in which the Parties requested the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to prepare terms of reference for the conduct of case studies in Parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol, with regional representation, on the technology and costs associated with a process for the replacement of chlorofluorocarbon-containing refrigeration and air‑conditioning equipment, including the environmentally sound recovery, transport and final disposal of such equipment and of the associated chlorofluorocarbons,

Noting that the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, pursuant to its decision 46/36, is considering terms of reference, a budget and modalities for a study on collection, recovery, recycling, reclamation, transportation and destruction of unwanted ozone-depleting substances,

Noting also decision 49/36 of the Executive Committee, in which the Executive Committee expresses its willingness to develop consolidated terms of reference and initiate a study accordingly,

  1. To request the Executive Committee to develop consolidated terms of reference taking into account the elements referred to in both the draft terms of reference submitted to the Eighteenth Meeting of the Parties pursuant to decision XVII/17 and the terms of reference developed by the Multilateral Fund secretariat on the collection, recovery, recycling, reclamation, transportation, and destruction of unwanted ozone-depleting substances;
  2. To request the Executive Committee to conduct, as soon as possible, a study based on the resulting terms of reference and to provide a progress report to the Nineteenth Meeting of Parties, with a final report for consideration at the twenty-eighth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group;