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 XVII/22: Non-compliance with data-reporting requirements for the purpose of establishing baselines under Article 5, paragraphs 3 and 8 ter (d)

The Seventeenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. XVII/22:

  1. To note that Serbia and Montenegro has not reported data for one or more of the years which are required for the establishment of baselines for Annexes B and E to the Protocol, as provided for by Article 5, paragraphs 3 and 8 ter (d);
  2. To note that that places Serbia and Montenegro in non-compliance with its data-reporting obligations under the Montreal Protocol until such time as the Secretariat receives the outstanding data;
  3. To stress that compliance by Serbia and Montenegro with the Montreal Protocol cannot be determined without knowledge of those data;
  4. To acknowledge that Serbia and Montenegro has only recently ratified the amendments to the Protocol to which the data-reporting obligation relates, but also to note that its has received assistance with data collection from the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol through the Fund’s implementing agencies;
  5. To urge Serbia and Montenegro to work together with the United Nations Environment Programme under the Compliance Assistance Programme and with other implementing agencies of the Multilateral Fund to report data as a matter of urgency to the Secretariat and to request the Implementation Committee to review the situation of Serbia and Montenegro with respect to data reporting at its next meeting.