Highlights and images for 25 October 2021

We still use ozone-depleting substances (ODS) today, but only for a limited time in strictly controlled quantities, and only for critical purposes. Whether to apply these criteria to purposes nominated by certain parties formed part of the discussion on day three of the combined twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (Part II) of the Vienna Convention and thirty-third Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (COP 12(II)/MOP 33).

Delegates convened in the preparatory segment to consider nominations for critical-use exemptions for methyl bromide for 2022 and 2023 from three parties, for use in the cultivation of strawberries and tomatoes. In presenting their assessment of the nominations, Marta Pizano and Ian Porter, members of the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC), noted the quantity of methyl bromide for critical uses has decreased drastically, from 180,000 tonnes to 29,000 tonnes. They shared that this decrease has been a crucial component in the recovery of the ozone layer in recent years, due to methyl bromide’s short-lived existence in the atmosphere.

Delegates also discussed the membership of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its technical options committees. Nine members’ terms expire at the end of 2021, and nominations were sought to fill these gaps. Nine nominations had been received, each with differing term lengths. Following a short discussion, they agreed that senior expert nominations would be limited to a term of one-year until the next face-to-face meetings, where nominations will be discussed again.

Making swift progress, they heard a report on non-compliance from the Implementation Committee, touching specifically on compliance with provisions under the Kigali Amendment, which was adopted in 2016 and entered into force in 2019. Some delegates then raised issues pertaining to wider compliance with the Convention, querying how developing country parties can best dispose of seized materials containing ODS destruction banks in their jurisdictions.

When plenary adjourned for the day, delegates reconvened in the contact group on gaps in monitoring, and in the Budget Committee.

COP 12(II)/MOP 32 is meeting online from Saturday, 23 October – Friday, 29 October 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic from 2:00 – 4:00 PM East Africa Time.