Negotiations

Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

Concerns the Earth’s stratospheric ozone layer could be at risk from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other anthropogenic substances first arose in the early 1970s. By 1985, scientific understanding of ozone depletion and its impacts on human health and the environment had advanced. In response, 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. It does not, however, require countries to take control actions to protect the ozone layer.

In September 1987, efforts to negotiate binding obligations to reduce use of ozone depleting substances led to the adoption of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Montreal Protocol 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.

Events

Showing 1 - 10 of 50 results

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)

Delegates will tackle key questions in enhancing the protection of both ozone layer and climate, including 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.

Conference of the Parties (COP) 27 October 2024 - 1 November 2024

46th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

How will parties fund new atmospheric monitoring sites? How is the Protocol managing implementation challenges? Should it regulate new substances, which may or may not have ozone-depleting potential? How will parties address trade in obsolete equipment? Delegates began to answer these questions and more.

Event 8 July 2024 - 12 July 2024

35th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP35)

Delegates committed firmly to address threats to both the ozone layer and the global climate, designating a significant portion of the replenishment of the Multilateral Fund to the implementation of the Kigali Amendment, which will phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and bring down global temperatures.

Conference of the Parties (COP) 22 October 2023 - 27 October 2023

45th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

Science has been the cornerstone of the Montreal Protocol’s success since its inception and non-negotiated scientific assessments have informed decision-making that has helped to heal the Earth’s ozone layer. But there are a number of new challenges to the Protocol’s effective implementation, which were the focus of the week’s meeting.

Event 2 July 2023 - 7 July 2023

34th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP34)

Despite phasing out 98% of ozone depleting substances worldwide relative to a 1990 baseline and making major inroads in avoiding catastrophic climate change, parties grappled with recent scientific findings, whether and how to build on the Protocol’s success to tackle other environmental issues, and delivering on the Kigali commitments.

Conference of the Parties (COP) 31 October 2022 - 4 November 2022

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)

The first in-person meeting in over two years replenished the Multilateral Fund and addressed questions of gaps in global monitoring of ozone depleting substances, specific usage and production of methyl bromide and carbon tetrachloride, and energy efficiency and phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons that contribute to climate change.

Conference of the Parties (COP) 11 July 2022 - 16 July 2022

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

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.

Conference of the Parties (COP) 23 October 2021 - 29 October 2021

2nd Part of the 43rd Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (OEWG 43)

Parties to the Montreal Protocol tackled technical work on two issues that are crucial to efforts to repair and protect the ozone layer: the unexpected increase in emissions of trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11) and developments related to energy-efficient and low-global-warming-potential technologies.

Event 14 July 2021 - 17 July 2021

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)

Parties met online to address issues around funding the Multilateral Fund for Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, agreeing to facilitate payments until replenishment negotiations are complete later this year, and provide guidance to the Replenishment Task Force.

Conference of the Parties (COP) 21 May 2021 - 25 May 2021

12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention (Part I) and 32nd Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

As the meeting closed, delegates agreed that the meeting sent an important signal that despite difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the goals of the Montreal Protocol are well on track and, while virtual meetings are difficult, they showed that if something should be done, it can be done.

Conference of the Parties (COP) 23 November 2020 - 27 November 2020