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)

Concerns the Earth’s stratospheric ozone layer could be at risk from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other anthropogenic substances first arose in the early 1970s. Ozone layer depletion causes increased ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels at the Earth's surface, which is damaging to human health and the environment. Negative effects to human health include increases in certain types of skin cancers, eye cataracts and immune deficiency disorders. UV radiation also affects terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, altering growth, food chains and biochemical cycles. Aquatic life just below the water’s surface—the basis of the food chain—is particularly adversely affected by high UV levels. UV rays also affect plant growth, reducing agricultural productivity.

In response, in 1985, governments adopted the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer—a framework convention that lays out agreed principles to combat this ozone depletion. This was followed in September 1987 by the adoption of the Montreal Protocol, which phases out both the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. The Protocol has been adjusted or amended six times since its creation, most recently by the Kigali Amendment in 2016.

The fruits of concerted efforts to curb ozone-depleting substances are paying off. But much remains to be done to ensure the continued success of the Protocol. This year, the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention (COP13) and the 36th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP36) will seek to further finetune the balance between furthering the Protocol’s implementation and enhancing the protection of both ozone layer and climate. Among the key questions are how parties will fund atmospheric monitoring sites to bridge information gaps, manage remaining emissions of controlled substances, and address uncertainties about substances not controlled by the Protocol.

Parties will build on the groundwork laid at the 46th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, which was held from 8-12 July 2024 in Montreal, Canada. Draft decisions for COP13/MOP36 to consider relate to:

• further strengthening Montreal Protocol institutions by addressing illegal trade;
• avoiding unwanted imports of energy inefficient products and equipment;
• the need for additional information on very short-lived substances not controlled by the Protocol;
• feedstock uses of controlled substances;
• measures to support the sustainable management of recovered, recycled, or reclaimed halons;
• measures to facilitate the transition to metered-dose inhalers with low-global-warming-potential propellants or other alternative products;
• enhancing regional atmospheric monitoring of controlled substances;
• a possible compliance deferral for Article 5, group 2 parties, related to access to climate-friendly cooling and refrigeration equipment; and
• strengthening the enabling environment to enhance energy efficiency in the cooling sector while implementing the Kigali Amendment.

COP13/MOP36 will be held at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, from 28 October to 1 November 2024, preceded by a workshop on life-cycle refrigerant management on 27 October 2024. The meeting information can be found on the website of the Ozone Secretariat. All previous reporting by the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) on this process can be found here.

ENB writers for this meeting are Kaspar Sollberger, Ph.D.; Marc Calabretta; Pamela Chasek, Ph.D; and Tallash Kantai. The Digital Editor is Natalia Mroz. The Editor is Jessica Templeton, Ph.D.