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/14: Reporting of zero in Article 7 data reporting forms

Recalling paragraph 3 of decision XXIX/18, whereby the parties were urged, when submitting forms for reporting data in accordance with Article 7, to ensure that all cells in the forms are completed with a number, including zero where appropriate, rather than being left blank,

Recalling also that, by decision XXIX/18, the Implementation Committee under the Non‑Compliance Procedure for the Montreal Protocol was requested to review the status of compliance by the parties with paragraph 3 of that decision at its sixty-first meeting,

Noting with appreciation that the majority of parties are continuing to report data in accordance with the request made in decision XXIV/14, and reiterated in decision XXIX/18, by recording a number in each cell in the data reporting forms that they submit, including zero where appropriate, rather than leaving the cell blank,

Noting with concern, however, that there are still a number of parties that leave blank cells in their Article 7 reports, which requires additional work by the Secretariat,

  1. To note that 20 parties submitted forms for reporting data in accordance with Article 7 for 2017 containing blank cells, contrary to decisions XXIV/14 and XXIX/18, and that all of those parties provided clarification in response to the request of the Secretariat;
  2. To urge all parties, when submitting forms for reporting data in accordance with Article 7, to ensure that in the future all cells in the data reporting forms are completed with a number, including zero where appropriate, rather than being left blank, in accordance with decision XXIV/14;
  3. To request the Implementation Committee to review the status of adherence to paragraph 2 of the present decision at its sixty-third meeting;