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 XXXVI/5: Feedstock uses of controlled substances

The Thirty-Sixth Meeting of the Parties,

Recalling Article 1, paragraph 5, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which excludes the calculated level of controlled substances produced that are entirely used as feedstock in the manufacture of other chemicals from the definition of “production” of controlled substances,

Recalling also decision IV/12, in which parties were urged to take steps to minimize emissions of such substances,

Noting that in the 2022 assessment reports of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel[1] and the Scientific Assessment Panel[2] and the 2023 and 2024 progress reports of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel[3] significant increases in the production of controlled substances used as feedstock are highlighted,

Taking note with appreciation of the information provided by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, in its 2024 progress report, on best practices and technologies for reducing emissions of controlled substances produced and used for feedstock, in response to decisions XXXV/8 and XXXV/9,

Decides:

  1. To request relevant parties, to continue, in accordance with decision IV/12, to take steps to minimize emissions of controlled substances during their production, transportation, distribution, storage, handling, repackaging and use as feedstock, including such steps as avoidance of the creation of such emissions and reduction of emissions using practicable control technologies or process changes, containment or destruction;
  2. To encourage parties to promote the use of practices and technologies, including those identified by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel in its 2024 progress report and taking into account national circumstances, to reduce emissions of controlled substances during their production, transportation, distribution, storage, handling, repackaging and use as feedstock in the manufacture of other chemicals;
  3. To also encourage parties that have practices and technologies such as those mentioned in paragraph 2 above to provide information to the Ozone Secretariat about those practices and technologies in order to assist parties in promoting the application thereof;
  4. To invite parties with production and/or use of controlled substances for feedstock to provide to the Ozone Secretariat, on a voluntary basis, by 1 May 2025, information on their established national procedures and frameworks for management of such production and use, including any controls on resulting emissions;
  5. To request the Ozone Secretariat to collate and summarize the information provided in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4 above for consideration by the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer at its forty‑seventh meeting.

 

[1] United Nations Environment Programme, Technology and Economic Assessment Panel: 2022 Assessment Report (Nairobi, 2023).

[2] World Meteorological Organization, Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2022, GAW Report No. 278 (Geneva, 2022).

[3] Available at https://ozone.unep.org/science/assessment/teap.