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 XII/15: Financial matters: Financial report and budgets

The Twelfth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. XII/15:

  1. To take note of the financial report on the Trust Fund for the Montreal Protocol for 1999, as contained in document UNEP/OzL.Pro.12/6;
  2. To approve the revised budget of ,099,385 for 2001, as contained in annex II to the report of the Twelfth Meeting of the Parties, recalling paragraph 5 of decision XI/21 of the Eleventh Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol aimed at ensuring that contributions to be paid by the Parties should amount to ,004,679 for the year 2001;
  3. To take note of the proposed budget of ,406,276 for 2002, as contained in annex II to the report of the Twelfth Meeting of the Parties, taking into account paragraph 6 of decision XI/21, which calls for the drawdown of 75,000 from the unspent balance for the years 2001, 2002 and 2003;
  4. To urge all Parties with outstanding contributions for prior years to make every effort to pay them promptly and fully;
  5. To urge all Parties to pay their annual contributions promptly and in full, ahead of the time at which the contributions are needed, in accordance with the formula for contributions by Parties for the years 2001 and 2002 as set out in annex III to the report of the Twelfth Meeting of the Parties;
  6. To encourage Parties not operating under Article 5 to continue offering assistance to their members in the three assessment panels and their subsidiary bodies for their continued participation in the assessment activities under the Protocol;
  7. To note the provision of assistance for the participation of Article 5 experts in the assessment panels and their subsidiary bodies;
  8. To note that, in future, the establishment and classification of posts in the Ozone Secretariat shall be presented to the Parties in advance for consideration and approval before they are submitted for processing according to United Nations recruitment and promotion procedures.
Annex II: Trust Fund for the Montreal Protocol: Approved 2000, revised 2001 and proposed 2002 budgets
Annex III: Trust Fund for the Montreal Protocol: scale of 2001 and 2002 contributions