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 XXVI/9: Response to the report by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel on information on alternatives to ozone-depleting substances

Noting with appreciation volume 2 of the 2012 Technology and Economic Assessment Panel report on the task force progress report which responded to decision XXIII/9, volume 2 of the 2013 progress report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel which responded to decision XXIV/7 and volume 4 of the 2014 progress report which responded to decision XXV/5,

  1. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, if necessary in consultation with external experts, to prepare a report identifying the full range of alternatives, including not-in-kind technologies, and identifying applications where alternatives fulfilling the criteria identified in paragraph 1 (a) of the present decision are not available, and to make that report available for consideration by the Open-ended Working Group at its thirty-sixth meeting and an updated report to be submitted to the Twenty-Seventh Meeting of the Parties that would:
    1. Update information on alternatives to ozone-depleting substances in various sectors and subsectors and differentiating between parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 and parties not so operating, considering energy efficiency, regional differences and high ambient temperature conditions in particular, and assessing whether they are:

      and describe the potential limitations of their use and their implications for the different sectors, in terms of, but not limited to, servicing and maintenance requirements, and international design and safety standards;

      1. Commercially available;
      2. Technically proven;
      3. Environmentally sound;
      4. Economically viable and cost effective;
      5. Safe to use in areas with high urban densities considering flammability and toxicity issues, including, where possible, risk characterization;
      6. Easy to service and maintain;
    2. Provide information on energy efficiency levels in the refrigeration and air‑conditioning sector referring to high-ambient temperature zones in international standards;
    3. Taking into account the uptake of various existing technologies, revise the scenarios for current and future demand elaborated in the October 2014 final report on additional information on alternatives to ozone-depleting substances of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel’s task force on decision XXV/5, and improve information related to costs and benefits with regard to the criteria set out in paragraph 1 (a) of the present decision, including reference to progress identified under stage I and stage II of HCFC phase-out management plans;
  2. To convene a two-day workshop, back to back with an additional three-day meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group in 2015, to continue discussions on all issues in relation to hydrofluorocarbon management, including a focus on high-ambient temperature and safety requirements as well as energy efficiency, taking into account the information requested in the present decision and other relevant information;
  3. To encourage parties to continue to provide to the Secretariat, on a voluntary basis, information on their implementation of paragraph 9 of decision XIX/6, including information on available data, policies and initiatives pertaining to the promotion of a transition from ozone-depleting substances that minimizes environmental impact wherever the required technologies are available, and to request the Secretariat to compile any such submissions received;
  4. To request the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund to consider providing additional funding to conduct inventories or surveys on alternatives to ozone-depleting substances in interested parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 upon their request;