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 XIV/16: Non-compliance with data reporting requirement for the purpose of establishing baselines under Article 5 paragraphs 3 and 8 ter (d)

The Fourteenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. XIV/16:

  1. To note that the following Parties have not reported data for one or more of the years which are required for the establishment of baselines for Annex A and E to the Protocol, as provided for by Article 5, paragraphs 3 and 8 ter (d):
    1. For Annex A: Angola, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Haiti, Liberia, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Suriname and Vanuatu;
    2. For Annex E: Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Micronesia (Federated States of), Haiti, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Liberia, Maldives, Nigeria, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Vanuatu;
  2. To note that this places these Parties in non-compliance with their data reporting obligations under the Montreal Protocol;
  3. To stress that compliance by these Parties with the Montreal Protocol cannot be determined without knowledge of this data;
  4. To note that 18 out of 20 of these Parties are receiving assistance with data collection from the Multilateral Fund through the Implementing Agencies;
  5. To urge these Parties to work closely with the Agencies concerned to report the required data to the Secretariat as a matter of urgency, and to request the Implementation Committee to review the situation of these Parties with respect to data reporting at its next meeting.