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/30: Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

The Fourth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. IV/30:

  1. to request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel:
    1. to evaluate alternative substances and technologies to the application for HCFCs as refrigerant and as insulation gas in rigid foam;
    2. to identify other applications for HCFCs, if any, where other more environmentally suitable alternatives or technologies are not available; and
    3. to submit its findings to the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol no later than 31 March 1994;
  2. to request the Open-ended Working Group to consider the report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel with respect to HCFCs; to consider the possible need for specific provisions for the implementation of the regulation on the applications for HCFCs, taking into account the special circumstances of Parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol; and to make any appropriate recommendations for consideration by the Parties at their Meeting in 1994 and following subsequent reviews taking place under Article 6 of the Protocol;
  3. to ensure that, notwithstanding the new status of HCFCs as controlled substances, the incremental costs to Parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol of making the transition from CFCs to HCFCs consistent with the regulation on the applications for HCFCs will continue to be met by the Fund and to request the Executive Committee to function in the light of this decision;
  4. to request the Executive Committee to estimate, on an ongoing basis, the amount of HCFCs required by Parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol and to recommend the methods of meeting such needs in full, simultaneously with the exercise to estimate the amounts of controlled substances needed, as well as to estimate the production available to meet those needs, as requested by the Open-ended Working Group at its seventh meeting.