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 XXI/21: Non-compliance in 2007 with the provisions of the Protocol governing consumption of the controlled substances in Annex A, group I ( chlorofluorocarbons ), by Saudi Arabia and request for a plan of action

Noting that Saudi Arabia ratified the Montreal Protocol, and the London and Copenhagen Amendments on 1 March 1993, and is classified as a Party operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol,

Noting also that the Executive Committee has approved $2,378,485 from the Multilateral Fund to enable Saudi Arabia’s compliance in accordance with Article 10 of the Protocol,

  1. That Saudi Arabia has reported annual consumption for the controlled substances in Annex A, group I (chlorofluorocarbons), for 2007 of 657.8ODP-tonnes, which exceeds the Party’s maximum allowable consumption of 269.8 ODP-tonnes for those controlled substances for that year, and that the Party is therefore in non compliance with the control measures for those substances under the Protocol for that year;
  2. To request Saudi Arabia to submit to the Secretariat, as a matter of urgency and no later than 31March 2010, for consideration by the Implementation Committee at its next meeting, a plan of action with time-specific benchmarks to ensure the Party’s prompt return to compliance;
  3. To monitor closely the progress of Saudi Arabia with regard to the phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons. To the degree that the Party is working towards and meeting the specific Protocol control measures, it should continue to be treated in the same manner as a Party in good standing. In that regard, Saudi Arabia should continue to receive international assistance to enable it to meet its commitments in accordance with item A of the indicative list of measures that may be taken by a Meeting of the Parties in respect of non‑compliance;
  4. To caution Saudi Arabia, in accordance with item B of the indicative list of measures, that in the event that it fails to return to compliance in a timely manner the Meeting of the Parties will consider measures consistent with itemC of the indicative list of measures. Those measures may include the possibility of actions available under Article4, such as ensuring that the supply of the chlorofluorocarbons that are the subject of non‑compliance is ceased so that exporting Parties are not contributing to a continuing situation of non‑compliance;