Montreal Protocol

The Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987 and ratified by 197 countries to phase out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and allow recovery of the ozone layer. It is hailed as one of the most successful global collaborations ever achieved.

Background
Concerns arose in the 1970s that certain industrial chemicals like CFCs and halons were reacting with and breaking down ozone molecules in the stratosphere. This thin ozone layer shields Earth from ultraviolet radiation, making it critical for life. Evidence of a growing seasonal “ozone hole” over Antarctica raised alarms.

Core Components

The original Montreal Protocol set specific targets and phaseout deadlines for ODS grouped into annexes. Key elements included:

• Binding commitments for developed and developing countries
• Trade restrictions on controlled substances
• Financial and technological assistance through a Multilateral Fund
• Periodic scientific and technical assessments

The schedule, chemical coverage and reduction targets could be adjusted via amendments and meeting of signatories. Penalties like trade suspensions encouraged compliance.

Amendments to the Montreal Protocol

As scientific evidence established the need for more stringent and faster elimination of ODS, the Montreal Protocol has undergone 5 strengthening amendments:

• London (1990): Accelerated phaseout schedule
• Copenhagen (1992): Added more ODS—bromides, CFCs, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform
• Montreal (1997): Tightened developed country schedules so developing countries could have more time
• Beijing (1999): Added bromochloromethane, accelerated HCFC reductions.
• Kigali (2016): Introduced HFC phase-down targets and timetables.

These amendments brought forward the ozone recovery timeline by over 20 years. They also allowed for exemptions and essential use exemptions aligned to new goals.

Kigali Amendment

Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is a legally binding international pact that aims to gradually phase out the consumption and production of HFCs. It is designed to create rights and obligations under the international law. Under this amendment, developed countries like the US and EU must reduce the production and consumption of HFCs to about 15 per cent of the 2012 levels by 2036. Majority of other countries like China, Brazil and all of Africa must halt the HFC use by 2024, reducing it to 20 per cent of 2021 levels by 2045. A small group of world’s hottest countries like India, Pakistan, Bahrain, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait must stop using HFCs by 2028 and reduce it to about 15 per cent of 2025 levels by 2047.