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/8: Critical-use exemptions for methyl bromide for 2025

The Thirty-Sixth Meeting of the Parties,

Noting with appreciation the work of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee and the August 2024 report of the Panel,[1]

Acknowledging that the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, and specifically its Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee, produce reports that are science-based, independent and robust, and that all parties should strive to respect the results of that work,

Recognizing the significant reductions in critical-use nominations for methyl bromide by many parties,

Recalling paragraph 10 of decision XVII/9 on critical-use exemptions for methyl bromide,

Recalling also that parties nominating critical-use exemptions are requested to report data on stocks of methyl bromide using the accounting framework agreed on by the Sixteenth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer,

Recognizing that parties operating under critical-use exemptions should, in licensing, permitting or authorizing the production and consumption of methyl bromide for critical uses, take into account the extent to which methyl bromide is available in sufficient quantity and quality from existing stocks of banked or recycled methyl bromide,

Recalling decision Ex.I/4 on conditions for granting and reporting critical-use exemptions for methyl bromide, by which parties with critical-use exemptions were requested to submit annual accounting frameworks and national management strategies,

Recalling also decision IX/6, by which parties to the Montreal Protocol decided that the production and consumption of methyl bromide for critical uses was to be permitted only if methyl bromide was not available in sufficient quantity and quality from existing stocks of banked or recycled methyl bromide,

Recalling further decision XVI/4 on the review of the working procedures and terms of reference of the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee related to the evaluation of nominations for critical uses of methyl bromide, as set out in annex I to the report of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Parties,[2]

Noting that the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel has identified successful chemical and non-chemical alternatives to methyl bromide and that the use of such alternatives in combination provides excellent results,

Noting also that the Government of Canada takes into account, to the extent feasible, available stocks of methyl bromide in licensing, permitting or authorizing the production and consumption of methyl bromide for critical uses and has fully committed itself to not submitting a nomination for 2026,

Recognizing that some parties have recently stopped requesting critical-use exemptions and that the efforts to develop alternatives and substitutes by parties that continue to apply for exemptions are designed to achieve the same outcome,

Decides:

  1. To permit Canada, for the agreed critical-use category for 2025 specified in table 1 in the annex to the present decision, and subject to the conditions specified in the present decision and in decision Ex.I/4, to the extent that those conditions are applicable, the levels of production and consumption for 2025 specified in table 2 in the annex to the present decision, which are necessary to satisfy the identified critical use;
  2. That Canada shall endeavour to license, permit, authorize or allocate quantities of methyl bromide for the critical use specified in table 1 in the annex to the present decision;
  3. That Canada shall renew its commitment to ensuring that the criteria in paragraph 1 of decision IX/6, and in particular the criterion laid down in paragraph 1 (b) (ii) of that decision, are applied in licensing, permitting or authorizing critical uses of methyl bromide;
  4. To request Canada to report on the implementation of the present decision to the Ozone Secretariat by 1 February for the years to which the decision applies.

Annex to decision XXXVI/8

Table 1
Agreed critical-use categories for 2025

Party

Category

Amounta (metric tons)

Canada

Strawberry runners

2.85

                a Minus available stocks.

Table 2
Permitted levels of production and consumption for 2025

Party

Amounta (metric tons)

Canada

2.85

                a Minus available stocks.

 

[1] United Nations Environment Programme, Report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel: Volume 4 – Evaluation of 2024 Critical-Use Nominations for Methyl Bromide and Related Issues, Aug. 2024 (Nairobi, 2024).

[2] UNEP/OzL.Pro.16/17.