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/4: Progress by the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund in the development of guidelines for financing the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons

Recalling decision XXVIII/2, whereby, inter alia, the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol was requested to develop, within two years of the adoption of the Kigali Amendment, guidelines for financing the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbon consumption and production, including cost-effectiveness thresholds, and to present those guidelines to the Meeting of the Parties for the parties’ views and input before their finalization by the Executive Committee,

Noting that the Chair of the Executive Committee presented to the Thirtieth Meeting of Parties a report by the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund on progress in the development of guidelines for financing the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons,

Recognizing that draft guidelines for financing the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbon consumption and production were presented to the Thirtieth Meeting of the Parties for parties’ views and inputs,

  1. To request the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund to continue its work on developing guidelines for financing the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbon consumption and production, and provide an update on progress on the elements as part of the annual report of the Executive Committee to the Meeting of the Parties;
  2. Also to request the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund to present the draft guidelines developed to the Meeting of the Parties for the parties’ views and input before their finalization by the Executive Committee;