Aspect Details

Name Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

Adopted On 16-Sep-87
Effective Date 01-Jan-89
Location of Montreal, Canada
Signing
Parent Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985)
Agreement
Ratifications 198 countries (Universal Ratification)
Objective To phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances
(ODS) to protect the ozone layer and safeguard human health and ecosystems.
Scope Global agreement to regulate the reduction, replacement, and destruction of
controlled substances harming the ozone layer.
Key Ozone- 1. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Depleting - Applications: Refrigeration, air conditioning, aerosol sprays, foam-blowing
Substances agents.
(ODS) - Impact: Highly stable, stays in the atmosphere for a long time, severely depletes
ozone.
- Examples: CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113.
2. Halons
- Applications: Fire extinguishing systems (aircraft, military).
- Impact: Extremely potent in ozone depletion and has long atmospheric lifetimes.
- Examples: Halon-1211, Halon-1301, Halon-2402.
3. Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl₄)
- Applications: Solvents, cleaning agents in industrial processes.
- Impact: Contributes significantly to ozone depletion and is also toxic to humans.
- Status: Phased out with limited exemptions for laboratory use.
4. Methyl Chloroform (CH₃CCl₃)
- Applications: Industrial solvent in metal cleaning and adhesives.
- Impact: Depletes ozone but has a relatively shorter atmospheric lifetime than
other ODS.
- Phase-Out: Phased out globally by 2015.
5. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
- Applications: Transitional substitute for CFCs in refrigeration and air
conditioning.
- Impact: Less harmful than CFCs but still has ozone-depleting potential.
- Examples: HCFC-22, HCFC-123, HCFC-141b.
- Phase-Out: Complete phase-out targeted by 2030.
6. Methyl Bromide (CH₃Br)
- Applications: Fumigant for agriculture (soil sterilization, pest control).
- Impact: Destroys ozone, highly toxic.
- Status: Phased out with exemptions for critical and quarantine uses.
Amendments 1. London Amendment (1990): Strengthened controls on ODS and created the
and Multilateral Fund.
Adjustments 2. Copenhagen Amendment (1992): Accelerated phase-out schedule for CFCs and
Halons.
3. Montreal Amendment (1997): Introduced control over HCFCs and tighter
reporting requirements.
4. Beijing Amendment (1999): Added new substances (e.g.,
Bromochloromethane) to the list.
Kigali - Targeted Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with high global warming potential (GWP).
Amendment - First step linking the Montreal Protocol to climate change.
(2016) - HFCs are not ozone-depleting but contribute to global warming.
- Aim: To phase down HFCs by 80-85% by 2047.
Financial - Multilateral Fund (established in 1991) supports developing countries in phasing
Mechanism out ODS.
- Funding includes technology transfer, training, and projects.
- Managed by UNEP, UNDP, UNIDO, and the World Bank.
Reporting and - Countries must report annually on their ODS consumption and production.
Compliance - Non-compliance is addressed through technical support rather than sanctions.
Requirements - Regular Meetings of the Parties (MOP) to review progress and decisions.
Trade - Ban on trade of controlled substances with non-parties.
Measures - Export/import restrictions on ODS to ensure compliance.
Environmental - ODS reduction has mitigated millions of tons of CO2-equivalent emissions.
Impact - Decreased the size of the ozone hole, especially over the Antarctic.
- Full ozone recovery is expected by 2060.
Health - Reduction in skin cancer and cataract cases globally.
Benefits - Less UV-B radiation exposure protects ecosystems, crops, and marine life.
Contribution - Although primarily designed for ozone protection, it has resulted in climate
to Climate benefits by phasing out substances with high GWP.
Change
Mitigation
Developing - Grace period of 10 years to comply with ODS phase-out schedules.
Country - Financial assistance through the Multilateral Fund.
Provisions - Capacity building and technology transfer programs.
Phase-Out - CFCs: Completely phased out by 2010 (with limited exceptions).
Timelines - Halons: Phased out by 1994 (except for essential uses).
- HCFCs: Complete phase-out planned by 2030.
- HFCs: Phased down by 80-85% by 2047 under the Kigali Amendment.
Impact on - Refrigeration, air-conditioning, and foam industries had to adopt new
Industries technologies.
- Adoption of environmentally friendly alternatives like HFOs and natural
refrigerants.
Success - Strong scientific backing and regular reviews of progress.
Factors - Universal ratification and global cooperation.
- Well-established financial and technical support mechanisms.
Challenges and - Illegal trade in banned ODS substances.
Criticisms - High costs for some industries to switch to alternatives.
- Developing countries need continued support to comply with new standards.
Monitoring - Ozone Secretariat monitors the implementation.
and - Meetings of the Parties (MOP) review the progress.
Enforcement - Scientific assessments are conducted regularly to measure ozone recovery.
International International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer – 16 September each
Observance year, commemorating the signing of the Montreal Protocol.
Expected - Restoration of the ozone layer to pre-1980 levels by 2050-2060.
Outcomes - Avoidance of 280 million cases of skin cancer and 1.6 million deaths by 2100.
Current Status - Most ODS are phased out, but efforts continue to manage HCFCs and HFCs.
(as of 2024) - The Kigali Amendment is being implemented globally, with some countries
already transitioning to low-GWP alternatives.
 Kigali Amendments

Aspect Details
Name Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol
Adopted On 15-Oct-16
Effective Date 01-Jan-19
Location of Adoption Kigali, Rwanda
Objective To phase down the production and consumption of Hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs), addressing their impact on global warming.
Parent Agreement Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
Reason for Although HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer, they have a high Global
Amendment Warming Potential (GWP) and contribute to climate change.
Coverage Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Examples of HFCs HFC-134a, HFC-125, HFC-143a, HFC-32
Impact of HFCs - Used as replacements for CFCs and HCFCs in refrigeration, air conditioning,
and foam-blowing.
- Potent greenhouse gases with thousands of times the warming potential
of CO₂.
Commitment by - Phase-down of HFCs instead of phase-out.
Parties - Different timelines for developed and developing countries based on
economic capacity.
Phase-Down Schedule 1. Developed Countries (Group 1):
- 2019: Baseline year
- 2036: Reduce HFC consumption by 85%
2. Developing Countries (Group 2):
- 2024: Baseline year
- 2047: Reduce HFC consumption by 85%
3. Countries with Special Conditions (e.g., India, Pakistan, Iran):
- 2028: Baseline year
- 2047: Reduce HFC consumption by 85%
Environmental - Avoid up to 0.5°C rise in global temperature by 2100 if fully implemented.
Benefits - Contribution to meeting the Paris Agreement targets.
Alternatives to HFCs - Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs): Low-GWP alternatives for refrigeration.
- Natural Refrigerants: Ammonia (NH₃), Carbon dioxide (CO₂), and
hydrocarbons like propane (C₃H₈).
Financial and - Provided by the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the
Technical Support Montreal Protocol.
- Assistance in technology transfer, research, and capacity-building for
developing countries.
Trade and Compliance - Trade restrictions with non-parties to ensure compliance.
Provisions - Monitoring mechanisms similar to the Montreal Protocol framework.
Monitoring and - Annual reporting of HFC production and consumption by parties.
Enforcement
- Regular reviews of progress by the Meetings of the Parties (MOP).
Challenges - High transition costs for industries shifting to low-GWP alternatives.
- Illegal trade in HFCs, similar to past challenges with ODS.
- Developing countries may require more financial and technical support.
Relationship with - First direct link between the Montreal Protocol and climate change
Climate Agreements mitigation efforts.
- Complements the Paris Agreement by reducing non-CO₂ greenhouse
gases.
International - Strong cooperation between developed and developing countries.
Cooperation - Support from organizations like the UNEP, World Bank, and UNIDO.
Expected Outcomes - 85% reduction in HFC use by 2047 globally.
- Temperature rise limited by 0.4-0.5°C by the end of the century.
- Promote adoption of climate-friendly refrigeration technologies.
Global Status (as of - 147 countries have ratified the Kigali Amendment.
2024) - Many countries already adopting low-GWP alternatives.
- Transition accelerating in industries like refrigeration, air-conditioning, and
foam production.
Annual Observance International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer on 16
September highlights the importance of ozone protection and related
climate actions.