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/2: Terms of reference for the study on the 2024–2026 replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol

Recalling the parties’ decisions on previous terms of reference for studies on the replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer,

Recalling also the parties’ decisions on previous replenishments of the Multilateral Fund,

  1. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to prepare a report for submission to the Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, and to submit it through the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol at its forty-fifth meeting, to enable the Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the Parties to adopt a decision on the appropriate level of the 2024–2026 replenishment of the Multilateral Fund;
  2. That, in preparing the report referred to in paragraph 1 of the present decision, the Panel should take into account, among other things:
  1. All control measures and relevant decisions agreed upon by the parties to the Montreal Protocol and the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, including paragraphs 9 to 25 of decision XXVIII/2, and the decisions of the Thirty‑Fourth Meeting of the Parties and the Executive Committee at its meetings, up to and including its ninety-second meeting, insofar as those decisions will necessitate expenditure by the Multilateral Fund during the period 2024–2026;
  2. The special needs of low‑volume-consuming and very‑low‑volume-consuming countries;
  3. The need to allocate resources to enable all parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol to comply with Articles 2A–2J of the Protocol, and the reductions and extended commitments made by parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 under approved hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) phase-out management plans and Kigali hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) implementation plans;
  4. Decisions, rules and guidelines agreed by the Executive Committee at all its meetings, up to and including its ninety-second meeting, in determining eligibility for the funding of investment projects and non‑investment projects;
  5. The need to allocate resources for activities to maintain and/or enhance energy efficiency while phasing down HFCs, including those relating to pilot and demonstration projects, in accordance with any energy efficiency cost guidance developed by the Executive Committee, or, should the Executive Committee not adopt cost guidance in time to be considered in the report, for a scenario for a funding window to support such activities;
  6. The need to allocate resources for supporting activities related to gender mainstreaming as part of the gender policy of the Multilateral Fund, taking into account the implementing agencies’ existing policies to promote gender mainstreaming and the mandate set out in Executive Committee decision 84/92;
  7. The need to allocate resources for a funding window for activities to support
    end-of-life management and disposal of controlled substances in an environmentally sound manner, in accordance with any relevant decisions by the Executive Committee, or, should the Executive Committee not adopt relevant decisions in time to be considered in the report, for a scenario for funding a limited number of demonstration projects;
  8. A scenario to increase funding for institutional strengthening and the compliance assistance programme to assist parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 to strengthen their national capacities to address challenges associated with implementing the Kigali Amendment;
  1. That, in estimating the funding requirement associated with the HCFC and HFC targets, the Panel will use a clearly explained compliance-based methodology that is informed by, but independent of, the business plan of the Multilateral Fund, taking into account policy guidance provided by the Meeting of the Parties and/or the Executive Committee;
  2. That the Panel should provide indicative figures associated with enabling parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 to implement HCFC phase-out management plans and Kigali HFC implementation plans in a coordinated manner. Indicative figures should be provided for a range of typical scenarios, using all relevant data available to the Panel;
  3. That, in preparing the report, the Panel should consult widely, including all relevant persons and institutions and other relevant sources of information deemed useful;
  4. That the Panel should strive to complete the report in good time to enable it to be distributed to all parties two months before the forty-fifth meeting of the Open‑ended Working Group;
  5. That the Panel should provide indicative figures for the periods 2027–2029 and 2030-2032 to support a stable and sufficient level of funding, on the understanding that those figures will be updated in subsequent replenishment studies.