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 V/18: Timetable for the submission and consideration of essential-use nominations

The Fifth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. V/18:

  1. To request the Parties to submit their nominations for each production and consumption exemption for substances other than halon for 1996 in accordance with decision IV/25, with the presumption that the Meeting of the Parties will be held on 1 September;
  2. To modify the timetables in decision IV/25 for nominations for halon production and consumption exemptions for 1995 and subsequent years, and for nominations for production and consumption exemptions for substances other than halon for 1997 and subsequent years as follows: to set 1 January of each year as the last date for nominations for decisions taken in that year for any subsequent year;
  3. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its relevant Technical Options Committees to develop recommendations on the nominations and submit their report through the Secretariat by 31 March of that year;
  4. To request the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to consider the report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and make its recommendations to the subsequent meeting of the Parties;
  5. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to assemble and distribute a handbook on essential uses nominations including copies of relevant decisions, nomination instructions, summaries of past recommendations, and copies of nominations to illustrate possible formats and levels of technical detail.