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/20: Discrepancy between the data reported by a Party to the Ozone Secretariat and the data presented by that Party to the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund

The Seventh Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. VII/20 to accept the recommendations of the Implementation Committee:

  1. That the Secretariat should be entitled to seek clarification on data reported under Article 7 if there is a discrepancy with the data in the country programme of the country concerned;
  2. That it should be established through these clarifications, which are the best available and most accurate data. Should the clarification not result in an agreement, the data provided by the Party to the Secretariat should be used.