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/15: Review of approved destruction technologies pursuant to decision XIV/6 of the Parties

The Sixteenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. XVI/15:

Recalling the report of the task force on destruction technologies presented to the Parties at the twenty-second meeting of the Open-ended Working Group,

Noting the need to keep the list of approved destruction technologies up-to-date,

Mindful of the need to minimize any additional workload for the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel,

  1. To request the initial co-chairs of the task force on destruction technologies to reconvene in order to solicit information from the technology proponents exclusively on destruction technologies identified as “emerging” in the 2002 report of the task force on destruction technologies;
  2. Further to request the co-chairs, if new information is available, to evaluate and report, based on the development status of these emerging technologies, whether they warrant consideration for addition to the list of approved destruction technologies;
  3. To request that that report be presented through the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to the Open-ended Working Group at its twenty-fifth meeting.