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/18: Non-compliance with data-reporting requirements under Articles 5 and 7 of the Montreal Protocol by Parties recently ratifying the Montreal Protocol

The Sixteenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. XVI/18:

  1. To note that the following Parties, temporarily classified as operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5, have not reported any consumption or production data to the Secretariat: Afghanistan and Cook Islands;
  2. To note that that situation places those Parties in non-compliance with their data-reporting obligations under the Montreal Protocol;
  3. To acknowledge that all those Parties have only recently ratified the Montreal Protocol and also to note that Cook Islands has not yet received assistance with data collection from the Multilateral Fund through the implementing agencies;
  4. To urge those Parties 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 quickly as possible to the Secretariat, and to request the Implementation Committee to review the situation of those Parties with respect to data reporting at its next meeting.