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 XXXI/12: Membership changes on the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel and the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel

  1. To thank the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel for its outstanding work and to thank the individual co-chairs and members of the Panel for their outstanding service and dedication;
  2. To thank Mr. Min Shao (China) and Mr. Nigel D. Paul (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), who have served as co-chairs of the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, for their long and outstanding service to the Montreal Protocol;
  3. To endorse the appointment of Mr. Krishna K. Pandey (India) and Mr. Paul Barnes (United States of America) as new co-chairs of the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel for a four-year term;
  4. To thank the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel for its outstanding reports and to thank the individual co-chairs and members of the Panel for their outstanding service and dedication;
  5. To endorse the appointment of Mr. Jianjun Zhang (China) as co-chair of the Medical and Chemicals Technical Options Committee for an additional term of four years;
  6. To endorse the appointment of Mr. Omar Abdelaziz (Egypt) as a new co-chair of the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Technical Options Committee for a term of four years;
  7. To endorse the appointment of Mr. Keiichi Ohnishi (Japan) as co-chair of the Medical and Chemicals Technical Options Committee for an additional term of four years;
  8. To endorse the appointment of Mr. Sidi Menad Si Ahmed (Algeria) as senior expert of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel for an additional term of one year;
  9. To endorse the appointment of Ms. Suely Carvalho (Brazil) as senior expert of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel for an additional term of four years;
  10. To urge the parties to follow the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel’s terms of reference, consult the Panel’s co‑chairs and refer to its matrix of needed expertise prior to making nominations for appointments to the Panel.