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 Ex.V/1: Replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol for the triennium 2021–2023

Recalling XXXII/1 and XXXIII/1, by which the parties adopted interim budgets for the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer for the triennium 2021–2023,

Noting that any contributions made by parties in advance of the present decision on replenishment would count towards the level of contributions referred to in paragraph 4 of the present decision,

Acknowledging that the exceptional circumstances related to the coronavirus disease (COVID‑19) pandemic have disrupted the customary practice of adopting a budget for the Multilateral Fund prior to the start of the related triennium, and that the present decision is being adopted without prejudice to the adoption of future budgets of the Multilateral Fund,

  1. To adopt a budget for the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol for the triennium 2021–2023 of $540,000,000, on the understanding that $65,000,000 of that budget will be provided from the contributions due to the Multilateral Fund and from other sources for the triennium 2018–2020;
  2. To note that $246 million in remaining funds that were due to the Multilateral Fund during the triennium 2018–2020 will be used after 2023 to support the implementation of the Montreal Protocol;
  3. To note that outstanding contributions from parties with economies in transition for the period 2018–2020 amount to $3,659,668;
  4. To adopt the scale of contributions for the Multilateral Fund for the triennium 2021-2023 based on replenishment of $475 million for the triennium 2021–2023 as it appears in the annex to the report of the Fifth Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol;
  5. That the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund should take action to ensure, to the extent possible, that the entire budget for the triennium 2021–2023 is committed by the end of 2023 and that parties not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 should make timely payments in accordance with paragraph 7 of decision XI/6