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 XXIII/15: 2012–2014 replenishment of the Multilateral Fund

  1. To adopt a budget for the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol for 2012–2014 of $450,000,000 on the understanding that $34,900,000 of that budget will be provided from anticipated contributions due to the Multilateral Fund and other sources for the 2009‑2011 triennium, and that $15,100,000 will be provided from interest accruing to the Fund during the 2012–2014 triennium. The parties note that outstanding contributions from some parties with economies in transition in the period 2009–2011 stand at $5,924,635;
  2. To adopt the scale of contributions for the Multilateral Fund based on a replenishment of $133,333,334 for 2012, $133,333,333 for 2013, and $133,333,333 for 2014 as it appears in annexIII to the report of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention and the Twenty-third Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol; [4]
  3. That the Executive Committee should take action to ensure, as far as possible, that the whole of the budget for 2012–2014 is committed by the end of 2014, and that parties not operating under paragraph 1 of Article5 should make timely payments in accordance with paragraph 7 of decisionXI/6;

[4] UNEP/OzL.Conv.9/7-UNEP/OzL.Pro.23/11.

Annex III: Contributions by parties to the eighth replenishment of the Multilateral Fund (2012, 2013 and 2014) (replenishment at US$ 450 million, including US$ 400 million from new contributions)