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/9: Further strengthening Montreal Protocol institutions – next steps

The Thirty-Sixth Meeting of the Parties,

Recalling decisions XIV/7, XXXI/3, XXXIV/8 and XXXV/12,

Taking note with appreciation of the summary of the workshop on strengthening the effective implementation and enforcement of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer,[1] held in Bangkok, on 2 July 2023, in response to decision XXXIV/8,

Recalling the discussions at the forty-fifth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on the outcomes of the workshop,[2]

Taking note of the information provided by the Ozone Secretariat to the Thirty-Fourth Meeting of the Parties on possible ways of dealing with illegal production of and illegal trade in controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol, identifying potential gaps in the non-compliance procedure, challenges, tools, ideas and suggestions for improvement,[3]

Decides:

  1. To request the Ozone Secretariat to update its response to decision XXXIV/8, paragraph 4 (b), on identifying common features of licensing systems, to prepare a compilation of such features, including examples of licensing systems as implemented under various circumstances and to make the information available to the parties for consideration at the forty-seventh meeting of the Open‑ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer;
  2. To invite parties that have not done so to provide to the Ozone Secretariat information on their licensing systems;
  3. To request the Ozone Secretariat to provide, before the forty-seventh meeting of the Open‑ended Working Group, a compilation of the information provided by the parties pursuant to decision XXXV/12, paragraph 1, synthesizing best practices to prevent illegal trade in controlled substances, for consideration by the Thirty-Seventh Meeting of the Parties;
  4. To request the Ozone Secretariat to convene a one-day informal meeting of the parties prior to and back to back with the Thirty-Seventh Meeting of the Parties in order to reflect, on the basis of existing documents, on facilitating the implementation of the Montreal Protocol;
  5. To invite parties to provide to the Ozone Secretariat information on how they address the disposition of detained substances;
  6. To request the Ozone Secretariat to prepare, for consideration by the Implementation Committee under the Non-Compliance Procedure for the Montreal Protocol at its seventy-fourth meeting, an analysis of systemic issues in relation to compliance based on cases considered by the Committee over the past 10 years, without including information identifying specific cases, and reflecting on information provided to the Implementation Committee at its sixty-third meeting for consideration at the informal meeting referred to in paragraph 4 above.

 

[1] UNEP/OzL.Pro.WG.1/45/6–UNEP/Ozl.Pro/Workshop.11/3.

[2] UNEP/OzL.Pro.WG.1/45/8 and UNEP/OzL.Pro.WG.1/45/8/Corr.1, paras. 165–175.

[3]UNEP/OzL.Pro.34/8.