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 I/12F: Clarification of terms and definitions: Destruction

The First Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. I/12F with regard to destruction:

  1. to agree to the following clarification of the definition of Article 1, paragraph 5 of the Protocol:
    "a destruction process is one which, when applied to controlled substances, results in the permanent transformation, or decomposition of all or a significant portion of such substances";
  2. to request the Panel for Technical Assessment to address this subject for the Parties to return to it at its second and subsequent meetings with a view to determining whether it would be necessary to have a Standing Technical Committee to review and recommend for approval by the Parties methods for transformation or decomposition and to determine the amount of controlled substances that are transformed or decomposed by each method.