The UN Montreal Protocol (1989)
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been addressing the issue of ozone depletion since 1977. Under the auspices of UNEP, the governments of the world arrived at The Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1985. Through this Convention, governments committed themselves to protect the ozone layer and to co-operate with each other in scientific research to improve understanding of the atmospheric processes.
After a series of meetings and negotiations, the "Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer" was finally agreed, and proved to be far tougher than anyone had thought possible only a few months before. The delicacy of the negotiations is reflected in the final agreement, which contains clauses to cover the special circumstances of several groups of countries, especially developing countries with low consumption rates who do not want the Protocol to hinder their development. The Protocol is constructively flexible; it can be tightened as the scientific evidence strengthens, without having to be completely renegotiated. Indeed, it sets the "elimination" of ozone-depleting substances as its "final objective."
The Protocol aims to phase out the production and use of CFCs and other ozone depleting substances (see ozone depletion). It came into force, on January 1st, 1989, by when 29 countries and the EEC representing approximately 82 percent of world consumption had ratified it. 166 countries are now Parties to the Convention and the Protocol, of which well over 100 are developing countries.The Montreal Protocol has been amended four times so far. Its control provisions were strengthened through four adjustments to the Protocol adopted in London (1990), Copenhagen (1992), Vienna (1995) and Montreal (1997). The Protocol aims to reduce and eventually eliminate the emissions of man-made ozone depleting substances. The Protocol has been implemented in Europe through 2037/2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer and in the UK through Ozone Depleting Substances Regulations.
Scientific evidence has shown that the implementation of the Montreal Protocol is a success. CFC production has decreased substantially (see figure below). The ozone depletion in the atmosphere above the Antarctic, Arctic and mid-latitudes is continuing, due to past emissions of CFCs. It has been estimated that ozone depletion will peak during the next few years. Given full implementation of the Montreal Protocol by all countries, the ozone layer is expected to recover by the middle of the 21st century.
Further challenges include also:
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Developing countries are concerned about increasing flow of CFC products, for example, refrigerators, to their countries from countries who have adopted Ozone safe products. This will increase their demand for CFCs for maintenance of these products.
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Global warming could increase ozone depletion. Also, HFCs, now used as alternatives for CFCs in some applications, have global warming potential and are controlled by the Kyoto Protocol. The interconnections need to be studied.
Text adapted from http://www.unep.org/ozone, for the full protocol and further information, see: http://www.unep.org/ozone/Montreal-Protocol/Montreal-Protocol2000.shtml
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