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 XXVII/17: Ensuring the continuation of the work of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, its technical options committees, the Scientific Assessment Panel and the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel

Noting with appreciation the excellent work conducted by the assessment panels at the request of the parties,

Noting the concerns expressed by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel in the September 2015 addendum to its June 2015 progress report[4] in relation to funding issues for some experts from parties not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5,

Recalling that the members of the assessment panels and their subsidiary bodies provide their expertise and work on a voluntary basis,

Recalling also decision XVIII/5, in which the Meeting of the Parties encouraged parties, non‑parties and other stakeholders to contribute financially and with other means to assist members of the three assessment panels and their subsidiary bodies for their continued participation in the assessment activities under the Protocol,

Recalling further that nominations of experts to the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its technical options committees are made in accordance with the terms of reference of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel,

Noting the existence of the means to receive voluntary contributions, separate from the trust funds for the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer but managed by the Ozone Secretariat, for providing financial support for activities additional to those covered by the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol trust funds;

  1. To maintain the current financial support available for members of the assessment panels and their subsidiary bodies from parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5;
  2. To request parties not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 that nominate experts to the assessment panels and their subsidiary bodies through their national focal points to obtain assurances or otherwise be satisfied that the nominated experts will be able to carry out their duties, including attendance at relevant meetings;
  3. To invite parties to make voluntary contributions for the purpose of providing financial support, where necessary, to members of the assessment panels and their subsidiary bodies from parties not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 in order to support their attendance at relevant meetings;
  4. That the provision of the support referred to in the preceding paragraph does not detract from the responsibility of a nominating party not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 to obtain assurances or otherwise be satisfied that experts that they nominate have sufficient support to carry out their duties, including attendance at relevant meetings;
  5. To request the Ozone Secretariat to reinstitute administrative and organizational support for the work of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel in order to reduce the administrative burden on assessment panel members where possible;

 

[4] http://conf.montreal-protocol.org/meeting/mop/mop-27/presession/Backgrou....