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/3: Essential-use exemption for chlorofluorocarbon‑113 for aerospace applications in the Russian Federation

Taking note of the evaluation and recommendation of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its Chemicals Technical Options Committee in respect of the essential-use nomination for chlorofluorocarbon-113 (CFC-113) for aerospace applications in the Russian Federation,

Noting that the Russian Federation has presented the Chemical Technical Options Committee with the requested information and explanations regarding the current and future situation in relation to the use of CFC-113 in the aerospace industry,

Noting that the Committee has reported that the new nomination of the Russian Federation satisfies, in principle, the criteria to qualify as essential use under the decision IV/25, including the absence of available technically and economically feasible alternatives or substitutes that are acceptable from the standpoint of environment and health,

Noting that the Committee recommends the acceleration of efforts to introduce appropriate alternatives, to investigate materials compatible with alternatives, and the adoption of newly designed equipment to complete the phase-out of CFC-113 within an accelerated time schedule,

  1. To authorize an essential-use exemption for the production and consumption in 2012 of 100 metric tonnes of CFC-113 in the Russian Federation for chlorofluorocarbon applications in its aerospace industry;
  2. To request the Russian Federation to continue to explore further the possibility of importing CFC‑113 of the required quality for its aerospace industry needs from available global stocks as recommended by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel;
  3. To request the Russian Federation to accelerate its efforts to introduce alternative solvents in order to gradually reduce consumption of the CFC-113 in the aerospace industry to a maximum of 75 tons in 2015;
  4. To request the Russian Federation to provide as part of its next essential-use exemption nomination a final phase-out plan with an expected end-date, the gradual reduction steps and information on the source of the CFC-113;