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Montreal Protocol

In 1987, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer came into force. Since November 2009 it has become the first universally adopted international agreement ratified by all countries and territories worldwide.

The Montreal Protocol aims at protecting the ozone layer. It requires all countries to phase out production and use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) according to specific timetables. The phase-out of ozone-depleting substances will enable the ozone layer to recover.

In the course of time, not only CFCs, but also other substances that deplete the ozone layer were included in the Protocol, such as halons, CTCs, methyl bromide or HCFCs.

Montreal Protocol phase-out timeframe for developing countries

To assist developing countries (called Article 5 countries) to achieve compliance with the Montreal Protocol’s control measures, an innovative funding mechanism called the Multilateral Fund (MLF) was established in 1990. Industrialised countries agreed to replenish the Fund regularly in order to meet all eligible costs of Article 5 countries to achieve the Protocol’s goals. Financial and technical assistance is provided to enable closure of ODS production plants, conversion of industrial sectors, technical assistance, information and know-how dissemination, training and capacity building. Most of these activities are delivered through four multilateral implementing agencies (UNEP, UNDP, UNIDO, World Bank). Each donor country, such as Germany, is allowed to provide up to twenty per cent of its contributions through direct bilateral implementation. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development commissioned Proklima to take this role.

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Montreal Protocol

Montreal Protocol phase-out timeframe for developing countries