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/29: Inconsistencies in the timing for the reporting of data under Article 7 and for monitoring compliance with the phase-out schedule under Article 5, paragraph 8 bis

The Tenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. X/29:

Noting that the compliance period for Parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol for the freeze in production and consumption extends from 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000, from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001, and from 1 July 2001 to 31 December 2002 under paragraph 8 bis of Article 5,

Noting also that the process of collecting accurate data on anything other than a calendar year basis is very difficult,

Noting further that Parties not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 faced similar difficulties, which were overcome when it became clear that their reductions in production and consumption were significantly below those required under the freeze obligations of Article 2A,

  1. To urge the Implementation Committee to review and report on the status of the data reported by Parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5, relative to the freeze in production and consumption using the best available data submitted;
  2. To urge the Implementation Committee to view the data from the July to June time period, or other time periods relevant to paragraph 8 bis of Article 5, as especially critical in cases where annual data submitted by Parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 demonstrates that a country is very close to its baseline freeze level.