The Montreal Protocol

The Montreal Protocol

The Montreal Protocol is an international environmental treaty that was signed in 1987 with the aim of phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). Ozone-depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons, were commonly used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and fire suppression systems, among other applications.

The protocol was negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and has since been ratified by 197 countries, making it one of the most widely adopted international treaties in history. It has been hailed as a great success, with the phase-out of ODSs leading to the recovery of the ozone layer and preventing millions of cases of skin cancer and cataracts.

The Montreal Protocol has been amended several times to accelerate the phase-out schedule for certain ODSs and to include new substances that were found to be damaging to the ozone layer. The most recent amendment, adopted in 2016, called for the phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases, in order to address climate change.