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/5: Provision of financial assistance to the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee

The Sixteenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. XVI/5:

Noting the heavy workload faced by the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee in its role under its renewed working procedures for the assessment of nominations for critical-use exemptions,

Acknowledging that a significant proportion of the Committee’s administrative burden in conducting this work falls to the co-chairs of the Committee,

Acknowledging the greater levels of detail and transparency that are requested by the Parties to be applied to the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee’s reports on its assessment of those nominations,

Noting that the current workload of the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee in conducting its assessment of the present high numbers of critical-use nominations to the standards directed by the Parties represents an exceptional circumstance that will not continue indefinitely, and for which the associated administrative burden for the Committee could reasonably be expected to reduce in the near term,

  1. To provide financial support to the positions of one co-chair from a Party operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 and one co-chair from a Party not so operating of the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee to cover the costs of their travel and accommodation for attendance at those meetings related to the Committee’s assessment of critical-use nominations;
  2. Also to provide financial support to the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee’s co-chairs, to facilitate expert assistance in the initial summarization of critical-use nominations to facilitate the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee’s timely and more detailed assessment of the nominations’ claims against the criteria of decision IX/6, and expert assistance with the preparation of the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee’s reports on its assessment of the critical-use nominations, so as to ensure that such reports provide sufficient levels of transparency and detail to meet the requirements of the Parties;
  3. That the financial support referred to in paragraph 2 of the present decision would not exceed the equivalent of 12 months full time salary for one P-3 level position, and would be allocated between the components identified in paragraph 2 at the discretion of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel;
  4. To authorize as a transitional measure to enable the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee to adapt to a new pattern of its meetings arising out of its renewed working procedures, the Secretariat to meet upon request the expenses, i.e., daily subsistence allowance and travel, for the attendance of members of the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee in its meetings on the assessment of the critical-use exemption nominations, which they are unable to defray during 2005, while taking into account the practice on the standards of accommodation for the travels of independent experts attending official meetings of the Protocol;
  5. To provide the necessary technical and financial assistance to the co-chairs of the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee, funds permitting, with respect to:
    1. Their site visits where necessary for the verification of the basis for nominations of critical-use exemptions, and
    2. Strengthening the liaison function of the Secretariat with the members of the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee;
  6. That the financial support referred to in paragraphs 1-5 of the present decision would be provided within the existing level of budgetary provisions drawn from the Trust Fund of the Montreal Protocol for the 2005 budget to meet the expenses required above;
  7. That the temporary financial support referred to in paragraphs 1-5 of the present decision would initially be provided only for 2005, with any proposal for similar support to be provided in subsequent years requiring the separate consideration and agreement of the Parties;
  8. To encourage Parties not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol to continue offering assistance to their members in the three Panels and their subsidiary bodies for their continued participation in the assessment activities under the Protocol.