About
Delegates discussed closing gaps in monitoring of ozone depleting substances as well as low global-warming potential and energy efficient technologies. They adopted 18 decisions, including on compliance and reporting, to ensure the Convention and the Protocol protect the ozone layer and combat climate change.
Final report
Summary report 23–29 October 2021
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The Montreal Protocol is a multilateral environmental agreement aimed at protecting the Earth’s ozone layer by phasing out the chemicals that deplete it. The landmark agreement entered into force in 1989 and it is considered to be one of the most successful international environmental agreements. Thanks to the collaborative effort of nations around the world, the ozone layer is on its way to recovery and many environmental and economic benefits have been achieved. However, there is still work to be done.
With that in mind, the combined twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (part II) and Thirty-Third Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (COP12(II)/MOP33) was held online to consider time-sensitive issues related to the operation of the Convention and its Protocol. As a result of the uncertainties surrounding international travel presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the COP12/MOP32 bureaux took a decision in June 2021 to hold the combined meetings online with a reduced agenda.
What is expected at COP12(II) and MOP33?
COP12(II) is expected to address the outcomes of the eleventh meeting of the Ozone Research Managers of the Parties to the Vienna Convention. The meeting will also consider the status of the General Trust Fund for Financing Activities on Research and Systematic Observations Relevant to the Vienna Convention, and financial matters pertaining to the budget of the Convention’s Trust Fund.
Delegates attending MOP33 are scheduled to discuss, among others, the:
- replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol for the period 2021–2023;
- financial report and budgets of the Trust Fund for the Montreal Protocol;
- unexpected emissions of trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11);
- identification of gaps in the global coverage of atmospheric monitoring of controlled substances and options for enhancing monitoring;
- compliance and reporting issues considered by the Implementation Committee;
- energy-efficient and low-global-warming-potential technologies; and
- membership of Montreal Protocol bodies for 2022.
A High-level Segment will convene on Friday, 29 October.
Why protect the ozone layer?
When concerns that the Earth’s stratospheric ozone layer could be at risk from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other anthropogenic substances first arose in the early 1970s, scientists warned that the release of these substances into the atmosphere could deplete the ozone layer. Such a depletion would hinder the ozone layer’s ability to prevent harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from reaching the Earth. UV rays have a negative impact on ocean ecosystems, agricultural productivity, and animal populations, and harm humans through higher rates of skin cancers, cataracts, and weakened immune systems. Scientists subsequently discovered a “hole” in the ozone layer above Antarctica, a region of the Earth’s atmosphere weakened by severe depletion.
What is the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer?
Negotiations on an international agreement to protect the ozone layer were launched in 1981 under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In March 1985, the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer was adopted. It called for cooperation on monitoring, research, and data exchange, but it did not impose obligations to reduce use of ozone depleting substances (ODS). The Convention now has 198 parties, which represents universal ratification.
What is the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer?
In September 1987, efforts to negotiate binding obligations to reduce ODS usage led to the adoption of the Montreal Protocol, which entered into force in January 1989. The Protocol introduced control measures for some CFCs and halons for developed countries (non-Article 5 parties). Developing countries (Article 5 parties) were granted a grace period, allowing them to increase their ODS use before taking on commitments. The Protocol has been ratified by 198 parties. Since then, the Protocol has been amended and adjusted several times to broaden the scope of substances under its control. Most recently, at MOP28 in 2016, delegates adopted the Kigali Amendment, which amended the Protocol to include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are climate-altering substances.
The combined COP12(II)/MOP33 will be held online over seven days, from Saturday, 23 October, to Friday, 29 October 2021. Plenary sessions are set to convene each day from 2:00-4:00 pm (UTC+3), and any contact groups established are slotted to meet from 4:15-6:30 pm (UTC+3).
View past and future events
Past event
Vienna Convention COP 5 and Montreal Protocol MOP 11
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20th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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Montreal Protocol MOP 12
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Montreal Protocol MOP 13
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22nd Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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Vienna Convention COP 6 and Montreal Protocol MOP 14
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Montreal Protocol MOP 15
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1st Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (ExMOP-1)
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Montreal Protocol MOP 16
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25th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties and 2nd Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (ExMOP-2)
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Vienna Convention COP 7 and Montreal Protocol MOP 17
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26th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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Montreal Protocol MOP 18
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Montreal Protocol MOP 19
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Viena Convention COP 8 and Montreal Protocol MOP 20
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29th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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Montreal Protocol MOP 21
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Montreal Protocol MOP 22
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31st Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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Vienna Convention COP 9 and Montreal Protocol MOP 23
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32nd Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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Montreal Protocol MOP 24
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33rd Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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Montreal Protocol MOP 25
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34th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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Vienna Convention COP 10 and Montreal Protocol MOP 26
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Workshop on Hydrofluorocarbon Management and 35th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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36th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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Resumed 36th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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Montreal Protocol MOP 27
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37th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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3rd Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (ExMOP 3) and Associated Meetings
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Montreal Protocol MOP 28
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39th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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Vienna Convention COP 11 and Montreal Protocol MOP 29
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Workshop on Energy Efficiency Opportunities While Phasing-Down Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and 40th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
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30th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
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41st Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (OEWG 41)
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31st Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP 31)
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42nd Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (OEWG 42)
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12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention (Part I) and 32nd Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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4th Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (ExMOP-4) and 1st Part of the 43rd Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG43)
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2nd Part of the 43rd Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (OEWG 43)
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Combined 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention (Part II) and 33rd Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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44th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (OEWG-44) and 5th Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (ExMOP-5)
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34th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP34)
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45th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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35th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP35)
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46th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
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13th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (COP13) and 36th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP36)
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