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 IV/23: Methyl bromide

The Fourth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. IV/23:

  1. to request the Scientific Assessment Panel and the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to assess the following, in accordance with Article 6 of the Protocol, and to submit their combined report, through the Secretariat, by 30 November 1994 at the latest, to the Seventh Meeting of the Parties:
    1. abundance of methyl bromide in the atmosphere and the proportion of anthropogenic emissions within this abundance of methyl bromide and the ozone-depleting potential of methyl bromide;
    2. methodologies to control emissions into the atmosphere from the various current uses of methyl bromide and the technical and economic feasibility and the likely results of such controls;
    3. availability of chemical and non-chemical substitutes for the various current uses of methyl bromide; their cost-effectiveness; the incremental costs of such substitutes, technological and economic feasibility of substitution for various uses and the benefits to the protection of the ozone layer by such substitution, taking into account the particular social, economic, geographic and agricultural conditions of different regions and, specifically, the developing countries;
  2. to request the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol to consider this report and submit its recommendations to the Seventh Meeting of the Parties in 1995.