EU Hails Universal Ratification of Montreal Protocol Protecting Ozone Layer
September 16, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
The universal ratification of the Montreal Protocol, which bans the production of substances that deplete the ozone layer, was announced on Sept. 16, following ratification by the Southeast Asian nation of Timor-Leste.
The Montreal Protocol is widely recognized as a success story that has put the ozone layer on the road to recovery and helped protect against global climate change, since ozone-depleting substances are also potent greenhouse gases.
The European Union (EU) applauded the ratification, as it wants to ensure the protocol continues to play a significant role in combating climate change, in cooperation with the upcoming United Nations climate convention, particularly regarding possible action on hydroflurocarbon (HFC) industrial gases.
HFCs are increasingly being used to replace ozone-depleting substances, but are themselves powerful greenhouse gases.
Montreal Protocol Achievements
With the ratification by Timor-Leste, all 196 members of the United Nations have now ratified the Montreal Protocol.
Agreed upon in 1987 following the discovery of the "ozone hole," the protocol protects the ozone layer from damage caused by certain industrial chemicals known as ozone-depleting substances.
The protocol will, by the end of 2009, have banned production of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants and solvents, plus halon fire extinguishants. It also set a clear timetable for phasing out other harmful substances, such as HFCs and methyl bromide. As a result of these actions, the ozone layer is expected to return to normal levels from 2050 onwards.
Climate Change Challenges
Because ozone-depleting substances are also potent greenhouse gases, the protocol has helped significantly to protect the climate. Some important challenges remain, however, as ozone-depleting substances are being increasingly replaced by HFCs, which have global warming potentials up to 14,800 times higher than carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas.
The success of the Montreal Protocol is now serving as an inspiration for possible sector-specific actions on HFCs during the climate change negotiations. As HFCs are controlled by the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, the EU has been promoting synergies between the climate framework and the Montreal Protocol.
In July, the parties to the Montreal Protocol started discussing a proposal to cap and reduce the global consumption of HFCs. The Copenhagen climate conference in December will be a further opportunity to ensure that international climate and ozone layer regimes cooperate in a cost-effective and environmentally sound way.
Background
The stratospheric ozone layer protects life on earth from harmful ultraviolet-B radiation. In the early 1980s, the ozone layer was found to be significantly depleted over the Antarctic due to emissions of ozone-depleting substances.
The 1987 Montreal Protocol commits parties, including the European Community, to ending the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances.
The EU has phased out more than 99% of its ozone-depleting substances production, thanks to proactive industry participation and strict enforcement of the EU's legislation on ozone-depleting substances by the European Commission and EU member states. Starting in 2010, further EU restrictions on ozone-depleting substances will come into force.
In 2006, the EU introduced legislation to regulate fluorinated industrial gases, including HFCs. This prohibits certain uses, but mainly focuses on measures to minimize emissions. The EU does not yet control production of HFCs, but has been active this year in discussions, both under the UNFCCC and the Montreal Protocol, on additional measures that could be taken to reduce emissions.
Further Information
For more information, see the EC web pages Protection of the Ozone Layer and Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases.
Source: European Commission (EC).