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 X/22: Compliance with the Montreal Protocol by the Czech Republic

The Tenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. X/22:

  1. To note that the Czech Republic ratified the London and Copenhagen Amendments on 18 December 1996. The country is classified as a non-Article 5 Party under the Protocol. For 1996, the Czech Republic reported positive consumption of 49.6 ODP tonnes of Annex A, Group I, substances that are partially accounted for under the essential-use exemption by the Parties for laboratory and analytical applications. However, the Czech Republic claims the remainder of the 1996 CFC consumption was for essential uses for metered-dose inhalers. But, as the Czech Republic imported ozone-depleting substances in 1996 without obtaining an essential-use authorization from the Parties to the Protocol, the Czech Republic was in state of technical non-compliance with its control obligations under Articles 2A through 2E of the Montreal Protocol for 1996. The Czech Republic reported to the Implementation Committee that it has the utmost interest in reliably meeting its obligations under the Montreal Protocol;
  2. To take note of the Czech Republic’s status regarding obligations under Articles 2A through 2E of the Montreal Protocol for 1996 and ask the Implementation Committee to continue to review annually the Czech Republic’s status.