Montreal Protocol

Quick Facts: Who was Montreal Protocol?

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Montreal Protocol

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International treaty phasing out ozone-depleting substances to protect the Earth's vital ozone layer.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Montreal Protocol, officially the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer, is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion. It was agreed on 16 September 1987, and was entered into force on 1 January 1989. Since then, it has undergone several amendments and adjustments, with revisions agreed to in 1990 (London), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1995 (Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), 1999 (Beijing), 2007 (Montreal), 2016 (Kigali) and 2018 (Quito). The Montreal Protocol has been ratified by 198 parties (197 states and the European Union), making it the first universally ratified treaty in United Nations history. Due to its widespread adoption and implementation, it has been hailed as an example of successful international co-operation.

Career & Major Achievements

Former United Nations (UN) secretary-general Kofi Annan stated that it is "perhaps the single most successful international agreement to date has been the Montreal Protocol". As a result of the Protocol, the ozone hole over Antarctica is slowly recovering. Climate projections indicate that the ozone layer will return to 1980 levels between 2040 across much of the world and 2066 over Antarctica. The terms of the Montreal Protocol establish control measures, timelines, assessment and review, data reporting, methods of dealing with non-compliance, and measures to assist developing countries with compliance. Timelines to phase out production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) covered by the Protocol are grouped by type.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Specific ODS compounds belonging to each group are defined in the annexures to the Protocol. Article 5 of the Protocol creates separate obligations for developing countries, allowing additional time to achieve compliance with the Protocol's control measures. Article 10 of the Protocol establishes a financial mechanism to help those countries achieve compliance. The purpose of the Protocol is that each signatory states: Recognizing that worldwide emissions of certain substances can significantly deplete and otherwise modify the ozone layer in a manner that is likely to result in adverse effects on human health and the environment. Determined to protect the ozone layer by taking precautionary measures to control equitably total global emissions of substances that deplete it with the ultimate objective of their elimination on the basis of developments in scientific knowledge Acknowledging that special provision is required to meet the needs of developing countries shall accept a series of stepped limits on CFC use and production, including: The substances in Group I of Annex A are: CFCl3 (CFC-11) CF2Cl2 (CFC-12) C2F3Cl3 (CFC-113) C2F4Cl2 (CFC-114) C2F5Cl (CFC-115) For this group, production and consumption in non-Article 5 Parties was frozen (at a 1986 base level) on July 1, 1989, with 75% phasedown by 1994 and complete phase-out by 1996.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1980: 1980 Milestone — Climate projections indicate that the ozone layer will return to 1980 levels between 2040 across much of the world and 2066 over Antarctica.
2. 1986: 1986 Milestone — Determined to protect the ozone layer by taking precautionary measures to control equitably total global emissions of substances that deplete it with the ultimate objective of their elimination on the basis of developments in scientific knowledge Acknowledging that special provision is required to meet the needs of developing countries shall accept a series of stepped limits on CFC use and production, including: The substances in Group I of Annex A are: CFCl3 (CFC-11) CF2Cl2 (CFC-12) C2F3Cl3 (CFC-113) C2F4Cl2 (CFC-114) C2F5Cl (CFC-115) For this group, production and consumption in non-Article 5 Parties was frozen (at a 1986 base level) on July 1, 1989, with 75% phasedown by 1994 and complete phase-out by 1996.
3. 1987: 1987 Milestone — It was agreed on 16 September 1987, and was entered into force on 1 January 1989.
4. 1990: 1990 Milestone — Since then, it has undergone several amendments and adjustments, with revisions agreed to in 1990 (London), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1995 (Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), 1999 (Beijing), 2007 (Montreal), 2016 (Kigali) and 2018 (Quito).

Notable Quotes by Montreal Protocol

“perhaps the single most successful international agreement to date has been the Montreal Protocol”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Montreal Protocol

True or False: “The Montreal Protocol was immediately effective upon its signing in 1987.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The treaty was agreed upon on September 16, 1987, but it did not enter into force until January 1, 1989.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Montreal Protocol