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 XIII/17: Compliance with the Montreal Protocol by the Russian Federation

The Thirteenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. XIII/17:

Having considered the report of the Secretariat on data compliance issues in documents UNEP/OzL.Pro.13/3 and UNEP/OzL.Pro.13/3/Add.1, including Analysis of Data on Production and Consumption by Groups of Substances, and having followed up on the recommendations of the previous meetings of the Implementation Committee,

  1. To note that the Russian Federation is operating under an agreed phase-out plan “List of urgent measures to the phase-out of production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances in the Russian Federation over the period 1999-2000” of 30 December 1999;
  2. To note that the Russian Federation was in non-compliance with the phase-out benchmarks for 1999 and 2000 for the production and consumption of the ozone-depleting substances covered by Annex A;
  3. To note the contribution of the “Special initiative for the phase-out of ozone-depleting production in the Russian Federation” to assist in the phase-out of production of ozone-depleting substances in Annex A and Annex B in the Russian Federation;
  4. To note with appreciation the fact that the Russian Federation closed CFC production as from 20 December 2000 and stopped Annex A and B ODS import and export operations as from 1 March 2000, as was confirmed in the letter of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation of 9 December 2000 and of the First Deputy Minister of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation of 9 October 2000;
  5. To recommend that the Russian Federation should, with the assistance of international funding agencies, proceed with the agreed phase-out benchmarks of production and consumption of the Annex A and B ODS to be in full compliance with its obligations under the Montreal Protocol and the London Amendment;
  6. To welcome the action taken by the Russian Federation to examine the possibility of ratifying the Copenhagen, Montreal and Beijing Amendments to the Montreal protocol, as was stated by the Prime Minister in his letter of 9 December 2000.