Montreal Protocol
About
- The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international environmental treaty that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made chemicals referred to as ozone depleting substances (ODS) including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
- When released into the atmosphere, ODS damages the stratospheric ozone layer, Earth’s protective shield that protects humans and the environment from harmful levels of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
- Adopted in 1987, the Montreal Protocol is the first treaty in the history of the United Nations to achieve universal ratification.
- Under this treaty, all parties have specific responsibilities related to the phase out of the different groups of ODS, control of ODS trade, annual reporting of data, national licensing systems to control ODS imports and exports, and other matters.
- Developing and developed countries have equal but differentiated responsibilities along with binding, time-targeted and measurable commitments.
Significance
- The Montreal Protocol has been a far more effective and successful agreement than the climate change instruments.
- As a result of its implementation by the global community since its adoption, it has successfully eliminated over 98 percent of controlled ODS, helping reverse the damage to the ozone layer.
- According to the UN, if current policies remain in place, the layer is expected to recover to 1980 values by 2040.
- A very significant co-benefit is that it has, from 1990 to 2010, reduced cumulative CO2-equivalent emissions by 135 billion tonnes.
Kigali Agreement
- In 2016, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol adopted the Kigali Amendment which calls for a gradual phasedown in the production and consumption of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Hydrofluorocarbons:
- HFCs are a group of industrial chemicals primarily used for cooling and refrigeration.
- HFCs are powerful greenhouse gasses and a substantial number are short-lived climate pollutants with a lifetime of between 15 and 29 years in the atmosphere.
- HFCs are widespread in air conditioners, refrigerators, aerosols, foams, fire retardants and other products.
- HFCs were introduced as non-ozone depleting alternatives to support the timely phase out of CFCs and HCFCs under Montreal Protocol.
- While HFCs do not deplete the ozone layer, they have high Global Warming Potential (GWP) ranging from 12 to 14,000.
- The Kigali agreement came into force in 2019 and has been ratified by more than 160 countries (including India).
- As per the Kigali Amendment, India has agreed to a phase-down schedule of HFCs from January 1, 2028, onwards, which will see 10 per cent reduction in HFCs by 2032 rising up to 85 per cent by 2047.