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 XXX/12: Reporting information on destination countries for exports and source countries for imports of ozone-depleting substances

Recalling decisions XVII/16 and XXIV/12, which refer to the submission of data on destinations of exports and sources of imports of controlled substances by importing parties and exporting parties, respectively, to the Ozone Secretariat in their annual reports in accordance with Article 7,

Noting with appreciation that a majority of parties exporting controlled substances regularly provide information on the countries of destination for their exports, in response to decision XVII/16,

Noting also with appreciation that a number of parties importing controlled substances regularly provide information on the source countries of their imports, in response to decision XXIV/12,

Recognizing that such information facilitates the exchange of information and the identification of differences between data reported on imports and data reported on exports, which in turn may facilitate the identification of possible cases of illegal trade,

Noting, however, that a large number of importing parties and a small number of exporting parties do not provide that information,

  1. To urge parties exporting controlled substances to report to the Secretariat information on the destinations of their exports, as called for in decision XVII/16;
  2. To encourage parties importing controlled substances to report to the Secretariat information on the sources of their imports, as set out in decision XXIV/12;