Montreal Protocol: Protecting What Protects Us

Every year September 16 is observed as the World Ozone Day, marking the signing day of the Montreal Protocol.  In late 1970s, American chemists F. Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina proved that CFC (Chlorofluorocarbons) compounds used in refrigerators, aerosol cans and air conditioners combine with solar radiation and decompose in the stratospheric layer, freeing chlorine and chlorine monoxide atoms which have the potential to destroy large numbers of ozone molecules. Then, a huge hole in the ozone layer was observed over Antarctica in the year 1985, allowing dangerous level of UV radiation to reach the earth’s surface. In the same year Vienna Convention for the Protection of Ozone Layer was also signed under which UN members realized the fundamental significance of curbing damage to the ozone layer. The Vienna convention summarises states’ duties to shield human health and environment against adverse impacts of ozone depletion, established the framework under which the Montreal Protocol was adopted.

What is Ozone (O₃)

Ozone is classified into two types- Good ozone: these are found in stratosphere, and protects the Earth's surface from dangerous ultraviolet radiation. Bad Ozone/Ground level Ozone: these are man-made and found in the troposphere. It is formed when nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) combine chemically with oxygen in the presence of sun-light. This ground-level ozone and PM 2.5 play the most significant role in formation of smog. Ozone layer, which is present in earth’s stratosphere contains high concentration of ozone. It filters out harmful UV (Ultra violet) radiation reaching the earth’s surface by absorbing 97-99% sun’s radiation. Without ozone layer, millions of people on earth would be affected from serious health issues including skin cancer and weakened immune system. Flora and fauna of earth would be affected as well without it. Know more about Basel Convention.

About the Protocol

The Montreal Protocol on Substance that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a landmark global treaty made on 16 Sept 1987 to gradually phase out the ozone depleting substances (ODS) that are hazardous for the health of ozone layer. It regulates both the production and consumption of substances that contribute to the depletion of ozone layer. The protocol came into force on 1^st January 1989 and followed by the first meeting held in Helsinki in May 1989. It has been ratified by 197 parties, making the protocol the first global environmental treaty with universal ratification and is considered as the most successful environmental global action. The Meeting of Parties is the governing body of the agreement with an Open-ended Working Group providing technical assistance. The Parties are assisted by the Ozone Secretariat based at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The parties meets once a year to review the progress and successful implementation of the protocol, including strengthening the protocol through various amendments. To date six major amendments have been made to the protocol to reduce and fully phase out CFCs and Halons, along with the production and use of Carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethane, hydrochlorofurocarbons (HCFCs), Hydroflurocarbons (HFCs), Hydro bromoflurocarbons (HBFCs), methyl bromide and several other ODCs. The amendments are:

v  London 1990

v  Copenhagen 1992

v  Vienna 1995

v  Montreal 1997

v  Beijing 1999

v  Kigali 2016

The Montreal Protocol aims to phase down the consumption and manufacture of the various ODS in a step-wise and time-bound manner, with different timetables for developed and developing countries (Article 5 countries). With this protocol, all parties have definite responsibilities linked to the elimination of the various ODS, control ODS trade, annual reporting of data, national licensing system to control ODS imports and exports, and other matters. This treaty is based on the principle of commonbut differentiated responsibilities, but most significantly, both groups of countries have binding, time-targeted and assessable commitments.

Multilateral Funds

The Multilateral Funds for Implementation of Montreal Protocol was started in the year 1991 under the Article 10 of the treaty. It was setup to help developing countries to comply with the provisions of protocol. The main objective of the protocol is to provide financial and technical assistance to the developing country parties of the protocol whose annual per capita consumption and production of ODS is less than 0.3 kg.

The activities of these Funds are executed by the four international bodies which are:

UNEP

UN Development Programme (UNDP)

UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)

World Bank

 

 

 

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