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 XIX/28: Implementation of paragraph 1 of decision XVII/12 with respect to the reporting of production of chlorofluorocarbons by Parties not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol to meet the basic domestic needs of Parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5

Recalling that decision XVII/12 of the Seventeenth Meeting of the Parties urges Parties not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol (non-Article 5 Parties), prior to exporting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to Parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 (Article 5 Parties), to request written affirmations from such Parties that the CFCs are required by them and that their importation will not result in those Parties’ non‑compliance,

Recalling also that paragraph 1 of decision XVII/12 urges all non-Article 5 Parties that produce CFCs to meet the basic domestic needs of Article 5 Parties to include in their annual data reports to the Secretariat copies of the written affirmations they receive from prospective importing Parties pursuant to that decision,

Recalling further that paragraph 2 of decision XVII/12 requests the Secretariat to report at each regular meeting of the Parties the level of production of CFCs in non-Article 5 Parties to meet the basic domestic needs of Article 5 Parties, as compared to their allowed production set out in Article 2A of the Protocol, and when doing so to include copies of the affirmations referred to above, together with available data on transfer of production rights,

To request the Implementation Committee under the Non-compliance Procedure of the Montreal Protocol to review, on the basis of the report prepared by the Secretariat in accordance with paragraph 2 of decision XVII/12, the implementation by the Parties of paragraph 1 of decision XVII/12, and to report its conclusions, including any appropriate recommendations, to the Meeting of the Parties;