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/3: Critical-use exemptions for methyl bromide for 2016 and 2017

Noting with appreciation the work of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee,

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

Recalling paragraph 10 of decision XVII/9,

Recalling also that all parties that have nominated critical-use exemptions are to report data on stocks of methyl bromide using the accounting framework agreed to by the Sixteenth Meeting of the Parties,

Recalling further paragraph 1 of decision XXV/4, in which the Meeting of the Parties requested that, by the thirty-sixth meeting[1] of the Open-ended Working Group, Australia submit the available results of its research programme,

Noting with appreciation that, in accordance with paragraph 2 of decision XXV/4, Canada submitted the available results of its assessment of the impact of chloropicrin on groundwater to the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel in August 2015,

Recognizing that the production and consumption of methyl bromide for critical uses should be permitted only if methyl bromide is not available in sufficient quantity and quality from existing stocks of banked or recycled methyl bromide,

Recognizing also that parties operating under critical-use exemptions should 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 in licensing, permitting or authorizing the production and consumption of methyl bromide for critical uses,

  1. To permit, for the agreed critical-use categories for 2016 and 2017 set forth in table A of the annex to the present decision for each party, subject to the conditions set forth 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 2016 and 2017 set forth in table B of the annex to the present decision, which are necessary to satisfy critical uses, with the understanding that additional levels of production and consumption and categories of use may be approved by the Meeting of the Parties in accordance with decision IX/6;
  2. That parties shall endeavour to license, permit, authorize or allocate quantities of methyl bromide for critical uses as listed in table A of the annex to the present decision;
  3. That each party that has an agreed critical-use exemption shall renew its commitment to ensuring that the criteria in paragraph 1 of decision IX/6, in particular the criterion laid down in paragraph 1 (b) (ii) of decision IX/6, are applied in licensing, permitting or authorizing critical uses of methyl bromide, with each party requested to report on the implementation of the present provision to the Ozone Secretariat by 1 February for the years to which the present decision applies;

Annex to decision XXVII/3

Table A

Agreed critical-use categories

(Metric tonnes)

2017  
Australia Strawberry runners 29.760
2016  
Argentina Strawberry fruit 71.25 ; tomato 58
China Ginger, protected 21.0 ; ginger, open field 78.75
Mexico Strawberry, nursery 43.539 ; raspberry, nursery 41.418
South Africa Mills 5.462 ; houses 68.6

Table B

Permitted levels of production and consumptiona

(Metric tonnes)

2017  
Australia 29.760
2016  
Argentina 129.25
China 99.75
Mexico 84.957
South Africa 74.062

a Minus available stocks.

 

[1] This reference to the thirty-sixth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group should be understood to imply that the submission is required before the appropriate Open-ended Working Group meeting to be held in 2016 in order to take into account the additional meetings of the Open-ended Working Group on HFCs in both 2015 and 2016.