The Montreal Protocol aimed to eliminate substances that deplete the ozone layer in order to protect human health and the environment. It called for phasing out chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone depleting substances, which were commonly found in products like refrigerants and aerosols. The protocol was groundbreaking in that it took action to regulate these substances before there was concrete proof of ozone depletion. It has since been highly successful, with over 190 parties phasing out the vast majority of ozone depleting substances and finding alternatives. The protocol also encouraged developing nations through financial aid and grace periods to meet requirements.

1. The Montreal Protocol on
Substances that Deplete the
Ozone Layer
By: Catherine Berger

2. What is it?
• Protocol to protect human health and
environment from products that modify the
ozone layer
• Ultimate objective: eliminate these controlled
substances through developments in scientific
knowledge
• Widely applauded international agreement,
innovative and successful

3. Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)
• Chlorofluorocarbons, halons and other ODSs
float to stratosphere
• Chlorine released > reactions caused by
ultraviolet radiation > converts ozone to
molecular oxygen
• Common products

4. Vienna Convention for the Protection
of the Ozone Layer
• Criticized for lack of actual progress made
• Called for research and shared information
• Did not mention CFCs

5. Developing Countries
• Protocol encourages aid to developing
countries from developed nations
• Global Environment Facility

6. Developing Countries
• Economic situation recognized and
accommodated
• Ten-year grace period
• Delayed amount of time for meeting Protocol
Requirements

7. Adaptability
• Nature of change in environmental issues
• Economic, social, environmental and scientific
discoveries and changes
• 2/3 of present Parties majority
• Implementation in 6 months

8. Exclusivity
• Non-Party nations did not abide by same
regulations
• Bans on trading with non-Parties to the
Protocol
• Encourage non-Party countries to join

9. Economy vs Environment
• CFCs must be removed
• Gradual system
• Developed countries
• Transfer of production calculations

10. Precaution
• Montreal Protocol unprecedented in the
actions taken before concrete proof of the
issues
• 6 months after signing, confirmation
• Further steps

11. Technological Gains
• Unexpected speed and improvement of
technology
• To replace controlled substances that damage
environment

12. Possible Improvements
• Disposal of products containing CFCs is costly
• Developing countries have difficulty disposing
of them properly

13. Major Players Impacts
• Controversial to eliminate CFCs
• Construction, pharmaceuticals, computers etc
• US cooperation with Soviet Union and Japan
led to a strong treaty

14. Replacements
• Substitute fluorocarbons contributing to
climate forcing
• Lesser of two evils?

15. Progression
• CFCs targeted in Montreal Protocol were
initially CFC-11 and CFC-12
• 80% of ODSs that were phased out were not
replaced by fluorocarbons, but alternative
chemicals

16. Substances Addressed
• Initial debate about including halons
• Growth of included products over time, from
8 to over 80

17. Calculating Emissions
• Production, plus imports, minus exports
• CFCs allotted a number rating according to
their detrimental factor for calculation
purposes

18. Parties
• Initially there were 24 Parties to the Montreal
Protocol
• Reached over 190
• More amendments and decline of nations
ratifying the Protocol

19. Conclusions
• Innovative and successful environmental
Protocol
• Now that the fear has resided less importance
• Continue awareness