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 VII/12: Control measures for Parties not operating under Article 5 concerning halons and other agents used for fire-suppression and explosion-inertion purposes

The Seventh Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. VII/12:

  1. To recommend that all Parties not operating under Article 5 should endeavour, on a voluntary basis, to limit the emissions of halon to a minimum by:
    1. Accepting as critical those applications meeting the essential-use criteria as defined in decision IV/25, paragraph 1 (a);
    2. Limiting the use of halons in new installations to critical applications;
    3. Accepting that existing installations for critical applications may continue to use halon in the future;
    4. Considering the decommissioning of halon systems in existing installations, which are not critical applications, as quickly as technically and economically feasible;
    5. Ensuring that halons are effectively recovered;
    6. Preventing, whenever feasible, the use of halon in equipment testing and for training of personnel;
    7. Evaluating and taking into account only those substitutes and replacements of halon, for which no other more environmentally suitable ones are available;
    8. Promoting the environmentally safe destruction of halons, when they are not needed in halon banks (existing or to be created);
  2. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its Halons Technical Options Committee to prepare a report to the Eighth Meeting of the Parties to provide guidance on the above.