Montreal Protocol

MONTREAL PROTOCOL

By Anton Antonio

January 13, 2016

“The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer) is an international treaty designated 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 entered into force on 1 January 1989, followed by a first meeting in Helsinki, May 1989.  Since then, it has undergone eight revisions, in 1990 (London), 1991 (Nairobi), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1993 (Bangkok), 1995 (Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), 1998 (Australia), 1999 (Beijing) and 2007 (Montreal).  As a result of the international agreement, the ozone hole in Antactica is slowly recovering.  Climate projections indicate that the ozone layer will return to 1980 levels between 2015 and 2070.  Due to its widespread adoption and implementation it has been hailed as a example of exceptional international co-operation, with Kofi Annan quoted as saying that “perhaps the single most successful international agreement to date has been the Montreal Protocol”.  In comparison, effective burden sharing and solution proposals mitigating regional conflicts of interest have been among the success factors for the Ozone depletion challenge, where global regulation based on the Kyoto Protocol has failed to do so.  In case of ozone depletion challenge, there was global regulation already being installed before a scientific consensus was established.  As well in comparison, lay people and public opinion were more convinced about possible imminent risks.  The two ozone treaties have been ratified by 197 parties, which includes 196 states and the European Union, making them the first universally ratified treaties in the United Nations’ history.”  (Wikipedia)

There are several international agreements --- that are aimed at mitigating the effects of global warming and climate change… and, in this case, a protocol on substances that cause the depletion of the ozone layer --- have already been passed and agreed upon by a majority of participating countries.  The next set of blogs/articles will be devoted to these international accords to increase the level of awareness on their history, aims and objectives.  One such international accord is the Montreal Protocol.

Thoughts to promote positive action…

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REFERENCE:

Wikipedia, (2016).  “Montreal Protocol”.  Retrieved on January 13, 2016 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Protocol