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 XVI/11: Coordination among United Nations bodies on quarantine and pre-shipment uses

The Sixteenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. XVI/11:

Bearing in mind that, under standard 15 of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, of March 2002, of the International Plant Protection Convention of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, guidelines were issued regulating wood packaging materials in international trade, which approved heat treatments and fumigation by methyl bromide for wood packaging to reduce the risk of the introduction and/or spread of quarantine pest associated with wood packaging used in trade,

Understanding that these guidelines are intended to address quarantine and pre-shipment applications,

Considering that coordination among United Nations bodies is essential for the attainment of their common goals,

Taking into account that the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel is conducting assessments on methyl bromide alternatives on quarantine and pre-shipment uses,

  1. To request the Ozone Secretariat to make contact with the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, stressing the commitment by Parties to the Montreal Protocol to the reduction of methyl bromide with specific reference to standard 15 of the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures, and to exchange information with a view to encouraging alternatives to methyl bromide treatment of wood packaging material stipulated by that organization as a phytosanitary measure;
  2. To request the Ozone Secretariat to report thereon to the Seventeenth Meeting of the Parties;
  3. To urge the Parties to consider, in the context of standard 15 of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, the use, as a priority and to the greatest possible extent, when economically feasible and when the country concerned has the required facilities of alternatives such as heat treatment or alternative packaging materials, instead of methyl bromide fumigation;
  4. To encourage the importing Parties to consider accepting wood packaging treated with alternative methods to methyl bromide, in accordance with standard 15.