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 XXXIV/11: Composition, balance and workload of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its technical options committees

Acknowledging the important role of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its technical options committees and temporary subsidiary bodies in the provision of independent technical and scientific assessments, which have assisted the parties in arriving at well-informed decisions,

Recalling decision XXIV/8, in which the parties set out the terms of reference, a code of conduct, and disclosure and conflict of interest guidelines for the Panel and its technical options committees and temporary subsidiary bodies,

Recalling also decision XXVIII/1, by which parties adopted the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, and decision XXVIII/2, which set out elements associated with the Kigali Amendment,

  1. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, including through consultation by the co-chairs of the technical options committees with their members, to provide more information on existing challenges and potential options for the future configuration and function of its technical options committees, for consideration by the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol at its forty-fifth meeting, taking into account:
    1. Discussions and questions raised by parties at the forty-fourth meeting of the Open‑ended Working Group and the Thirty-Fourth Meeting of the Parties concerning the Panel’s recommendations in its 2022 progress report;[1]
    2. The fact that the vast majority of HFC uses are in the refrigeration, air‑conditioning and heat-pump sector;
    3. Expertise required to provide technical and cost-related information to the parties, including in the context of implementation of the Kigali Amendment;
    4. Guidance provided in its terms of reference;
    5. The need to ensure continued collaboration and coordination across the technical options committees;
  2. To rename the Halons Technical Options Committee the Fire Suppression Technical Options Committee.

 

[1] Report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, May 2022, vol. 1: Progress report.