Atmosphere

Ozone

Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer

The Montreal Protocol  is one of the most successful environment protection agreements in the world. The Protocol sets out a mandatory timetable for the phase out of ozone depleting substances. This timetable has been under constant revision, with phase out dates accelerated in accordance with scientific understanding and technological advances.

Summary of Montreal Protocol control measures
Ozone depleting substances Developed countries Developing countries
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Phased out end of 1995a Total phase out by 2010
Halons Phased out end of 1993 Total phase out by 2010
Carbon tetrachloride Phased out end of 1995a Total phase out by 2010
Methyl chloroform Phased out end of 1995a Total phase out by 2015
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Freeze from beginning of 1996b
35% reduction by 2004
75% reduction by 2010
90% reduction by 2015
Total phase out by 2020c		 Freeze in 2013 at a base level calculated as
the average of 2009 and 2010 consumption levels
10% reduction by 2015
35% reduction by 2020
67.5% reduction by 2025
Total phase out by 2030d
Hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs) Phased out end of 1995 Phased out end of 1995
Methyl bromide
(horticultural uses)		 Freeze in 1995 at 1991 base levele
25% reduction by 1999
50% reduction by 2001
70% reduction by 2003
Total phase out by 2005		 Freeze in 2002 at average 1995-1998 base levele
20% reduction by 2005
Total phase out by 2015
Bromochloromethane (BCM) Phase out by 2002 Phase out by 2002
a With the exception of a very small number of internationally agreed essential uses that are considered critical to human health and/or laboratory and analytical procedures.
b Based on 1989 HCFC consumption with an extra allowance (ODP weighted) equal to 2.8% of 1989 CFC consumption.
c Up to 0.5% of base level consumption can be used until 2030 for servicing existing equipment, subject to review in 2015.
d Up to 2.5% of base level consumption can be used until 2040 for servicing existing equipment, subject to review in 2025.
e All reductions include an exemption for pre-shipment and quarantine uses.
Notes:
1. The timetable set by the Montreal Protocol applies to bulk consumption of ozone depleting substances. Consumption is defined as the quantities manufactured plus imported, less those quantities exported in any given year. Percentage reductions relate to the designated 'base year' for the substance. The Protocol does not forbid the use of existing or recycled controlled substances beyond the phase out dates.
2. Further information on these ODS can be seen in the United Nations Environment Programme Ozone Secretariat's Handbook for the International Treaties for the Protection of the Ozone Layer  (See Section 1.2 for links to graphs displaying ODS phase-outs timetables).
3. For Australia's accelerated HCFC phase-out timetable see Part IV of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. 

The graphs below, provided by the CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, illustrate the global observations of the impact the Montreal Protocol on the levels of ozone depleting substances in the atmosphere, and suggest the impact into the future to 2050:

Australia and the Montreal Protocol

Australia has been a leading supporter of international efforts to protect the ozone layer since the early 1980s when initial moves were made through the United Nations to limit the global release of ozone depleting substances.

Australia has ratified all the amendments to the Protocol, which includes the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer 1985 and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 1987. This also includes ratification of the following amendments to the Protocol: London (1990), Copenhagen (1992), Vienna (1995), Montreal (1997) and Beijing (1999).

Annual Meetings of Parties allow countries to keep progress under view, update scientific information and take decisions to improve compliance with the Protocol and the information base upon which Parties rely. Australia is a member of important decision-making bodies within the Protocol framework including the Implementation Committee, the Scientific Assessment Panel and the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee. An active role in these areas allows Australia a degree of influence over the nature and direction of global ozone protection issues.

The global alliance of nations to protect the ozone layer represents the single most effective measure for preventing depletion of the ozone layer over Australia. Australia accounts for less than one percent of global emissions of ozone-depleting substances and so our participation in the Protocol is the best means to reduce ozone depletion.

Australia implements it obligations under the Montreal Protocol through the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 (the Act).

Under the Act all licences to import or export ozone depleting substances carry a condition that the licensee must only import or export the substance from a country that has ratified the Montreal Protocol and the relevant subsequent Amendments. To help facilitate this, the Minister must maintain a Register of Montreal Protocol Countries and the substances for which those countries are to be treated as a Montreal Protocol country.

Australia has met or exceeded all of its phase out obligations under the Montreal Protocol. For example, Australia will essentially phase out consumption of HCFC by 2016, four years ahead of the schedule required under the Protocol. In doing so Australia will consume 61 per cent less HCFC in the period to 2020 than required under the Protocol, even after the Parties to the Montreal Protocol agreed in 2007 to advance HCFC phase out globally.

The graph below demonstrates Australia's performance in phasing out ozone depleting substances against its Montreal Protocol obligations.

Figure 1: Controlled Ozone Depleting Substance imports

Montreal Protocol — support for developing countries

The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol  provides funds to help developing countries to phase out the use of ozone depleting substances (ODS). ODS are used in refrigeration, foam extrusion, industrial cleaning, fire safety and fumigation.

The Multilateral Fund was the first financial mechanism to be created under an international treaty. It embodies the principle agreed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 that countries have a common but differentiated responsibility to protect and manage the global commons.

The Fund is managed by an Executive Committee with an equal representation of seven industrialized and seven Article 5 countries which are elected annually by a Meeting of the Parties. The Committee reports annually to the Meeting of the Parties on its operations.

Up to 20 per cent of the contributions of contributing Parties can also be delivered through their bilateral agencies in the form of eligible projects and activities.

The Fund is replenished on a three-year basis by the donors. Pledges will amount to more than US$2.8 billion over the period 1991 to 2008. Funds are used, for example, to finance the conversion of existing manufacturing processes, train personnel, pay royalties and patent rights on new technologies, and establish national Ozone Offices. To date more than US$2.16 billion has been approved to support more than 5500 projects and activities in 144 developing countries.

Australia is active in the Multilateral Fund, seeking to ensure it continues to result in the maximum benefit in terms of ozone layer protection. Australia contributes funding through AusAID, and is a member of the 14 member Executive Committee which manages the Fund.

As part of its contribution to the Multilateral Fund, Australia also undertakes a number of bilateral projects in developing countries. These projects use Australian skills and technology and help to raise the profile of Australian know-how and expertise regarding ozone protection initiatives.

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Mother-of-pearl clouds above southern Norway at sunrise.