The Minister of Industry of Thailand, His Excellency Mr. Akanat Promphan; COP12 President Mr. Ndiaye Cheikh Sylla; and President of the Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, Ms. Azra Rogović-Grubić, attended the combined Vienna Convention COP and Montreal Protocol MOP on Ozone Layer Depletion. This conference stands apart from others due to its exemplification of successful multilateral action.
As the renowned scientist Carl Sagan once observed, the discovery of the ozone layer's depletion served as a wake-up call and a testament to humanity's ability to cooperate for the planet's good. This cooperation under the Montreal Protocol has led to significant achievements, notably phasing out 99% of ozone-depleting substances and reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to approximately 12.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Assuming ongoing compliance, Antarctic ozone levels are projected to return to their pre-1980 state by 2066, with global recovery by mid-century. This progress underscores the crucial role the ozone layer plays in climate mitigation. By century’s end, a healthy ozone layer could help prevent an additional 0.5–1.0°C rise in global temperatures by shielding the terrestrial carbon sink from UV damage.
The 2016 Kigali Amendment, which targets hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) reductions, further exemplifies these efforts. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted that full implementation of the Kigali Amendment could prevent up to 0.5°C of warming by 2100. Coupled with energy efficiency improvements in the cooling sector, this could potentially double the climate benefits.
With 160 out of 198 parties having ratified the Kigali Amendment, achieving universal ratification by its 10th anniversary in 2026 is an attainable goal. UNEP has pledged support at both political and technical levels to facilitate this. Such success would be a fitting milestone to celebrate during the Montreal Protocol’s 40th anniversary in 2027.
The Protocol's impacts extend beyond environmental benefits; it is anticipated to prevent approximately 2 million cases of skin cancer annually by 2030 and protect millions from cataracts and other UV-related diseases. Additionally, UV protection enhances agricultural productivity, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goal 2 of ending hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture.
The Montreal Protocol exemplifies how Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) can serve as effective instruments when they have clear objectives, support for developing nations, and collaborative frameworks involving scientists and policymakers. UNEP calls on the international community to build upon this success and fully implement the Kigali Amendment, ensuring the continued protection of people, nature, and climate stability.
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