Tina Birmpili, Executive Secretary, Ozone Secretariat,European Parliament – Environment Committee, 23 Sept.2015

The Ozone StoryA narrative and a paradigm for internationalglobal commitment, action and outcomes forbetter lives and better environment.

30 years of global action together

What is the thrust of thislandmark achievement?There are three main points ofsignificance.

“The ozone story is a great example of whyacting collectively internationally under theauspices of the United Nations produces

extraordinary benefits for humanity”, AchimSteiner,

Executive Director, UNEP

First, united action and universalmembership of 197 parties to the ozonetreaties to achieve results

Instrument Parties1. Vienna Convention 1972. Montreal Protocol 1973. London Amendment 1974. Copenhagen Amendment 197

5. Montreal Amendment 1976. Beijing Amendment 197

Pending Ratifications 0

Second, right science and an agreement onfinance and technology to reconcile ourdifferent needs as nations and act as one on aglobal challenge.

The Scientific Assessment Panel assesses the status of the depletion of the ozone layerand relevant atmospheric science issues and updates parties regularly.

The Technology and Economic Assessment Panel provides technical informationrelated to the alternative technologies that have been investigated and employed tomake it possible to virtually eliminate use of ODSs that harm the ozone layer.

The Environmental Effects Assessment Panel assesses the various effects of ozone layerdepletion and updates parties regularly.

SAP

TEAP

EEAP

The Fund supports developingcountries to meet theircommitments under the MontrealProtocol

Third, patience for 30 years to see thepositive results of our concerted actions.

1974• Scientists Sherry Rowland and Mario Molina in a scientific article published in the journal Nature

warn that human-generated chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are harming the ozone layer.

1985• British Antarctic Survey scientists report on the recurring springtime ozone hole over Antarctica.• The Vienna Convention is signed on 22 March.

1987• The Montreal Protocol is adopted on 16 September. The day is marked globally as the

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

1991• The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol becomes operational.

2014• The scientific assessment of ozone depletion in 2014 confirms that the ozone layer is healing and

will return to pre-1980 levels by mid-century, thanks to actions taken by Parties under the MontrealProtocol.

There are many positive results from theglobal community’s concerted actions forozone layer protection in terms of:

- The state of the global environment,- Integrating environment into economy

and social development (the “humanface” of the Montreal Protocol),

- Contribution to green economysolutions through green technologiesand enabling legal framework,

- Contribution to economic growth (GDP)and jobs,

- Climate change mitigation.

In terms of the global environment…(1)

Global Production of All ODSsPhase-outof 98 per

cent of thehistoriclevels of

productionof ozonedepleting

substances(ODSs)

globally.

In terms of the global environment…(2)

Global Consumption of AllODSs

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

1,600,000

1,800,000

2,000,000

1986

*

1989

*

1990

*

1991

*

1992

*

1993

*

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Cons

umpt

ion

in O

DP to

nnes

Year

Article 5 PartiesNon-Article 5 Parties

Phase-outof 98 per

cent of thehistoriclevels of

consumption of ozonedepleting

substancesglobally.

In terms of the global environment…(3)

1970 1992 2014 2060

Scientific projections show thatthe ozone layer will be returning

to its 1980 levels by 2060.The ozone layer is healing itself.

In terms of the “human face” of ourachievements

Up to 2 million cases of skin cancer may be preventedglobally each year by 2030 due to the Montreal Protocol.

Estimates in the USAFor those born between 1890 and 2100, actions taken under the MPmay prevent:• 283 million cases of skin cancer, 8.3 million of which are melanoma• 1.6 million deaths from skin cancer• 46 million cases of cataract

Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency

In terms of green economy… (1)

ODS phase-out has brought investment, changed daily productionand consumption patterns, stimulated more efficient productionprocesses and spurred innovative redesigning of products andequipment to use greener chemicals. The private sector has beenresponsive to policy decisions.

ODS phase-out with its impact on trade has greened global valuechains in the process.

In terms of green economy …(2)

The Montreal Protocol hasalso led to technology transferwith its Multilateral Fundcontributing more than 3.1billion USD from 1991 to dateto all developing countries.

The Parties agreed in their last meeting (Paris, Nov.2015) to replenish the Fund with 507.5 million USDfor the years 2015 – 2017, the highest amount ever.

In terms of green economy… (3)

ODS phase-out has contributed to maintaining GDPgrowth by avoiding loss to agricultural and fishery yieldsand averting human health impacts of ozone depletion.

According to some estimates, 460 billion USD may besaved during the period 1987 to 2060 from damagesavoided to agriculture, fisheries and material alone.

2015 is a challenging and exciting yearfor international negotiations- SDGs and post-2015 agenda- COP21 in Paris

The Montreal Protocol has protectedthe climate (1)

Scenarios of ODSs and ODS substitutes | Velders G., et al, 2007: The importance of the MontrealProtocol

The Montreal Protocol has protectedthe climate (2)

Ozone-depleting substances are also powerfulgreenhouse gases.

The Montreal Protocol has mitigated 135 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent rendering the MontrealProtocol as one of the most effective tools inclimate change mitigation.

Co-benefits of Montreal Protocol for climate havebeen estimated to be about 5 times the CO2-equivalent reduction of the first commitment periodof the Kyoto Protocol.

The Montreal Protocol has protectedthe climate (3)

The parties’ discussions on hydrofluorocarbons(HFCs) are of relevance to COP21.

HFCs are among the basket of six main controlledgreenhouse gases under the UNFCCC. The otherfive are: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) management(1)

HFCs are used widely as substitutes for ozone-depletingsubstances.

HFCs are non-ODS but are powerful greenhouse gases. CO2-eq emissions of HFCs are increasing at about 7% per

year.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) management(2)

For the seventh consecutive year, parties are discussinghow to deal with HFCs under the Montreal Protocol.

Four proposals to amend the Montreal Protocol to phasedown HFCs are on the table in 2015 (the Indian proposal,the North American proposal, the European Unionproposal and the Island States proposal) and will beconsidered during the 27th MOP in November in Dubai.

HFCs are at the centre of possible synergies between twoconventions, the UNFCCC and the Vienna Convention.

Concluding Remarks and path forward…(1)

International regulations give clear signals forinvestment and innovation.

They bring prospects for research and developmentof new products by the industries and of courseeventually bring profits.

However, international regulations and how theyare decided may even these profits regionally andenhance competition globally.

For some developing countries, the transfer oftechnology meant they could compete better ininternational markets.

Concluding Remarks and path forward…(2)

The Montreal Protocol has succeeded because of: the incredible degree of cooperation of regulatory

bodies, science, industry, and environmentalorganizations as key to achieving results,

an incredible network of people in the field who gaveflesh to the Ozone Treaties. This global network wasmade possible because of the provision of fundingfor institutional strengthening to all developingcountries,

the United Nations as the platform upon whichtechnology, finance, capacity building have beenbrought together.

2015 calendar

Date Event

29 – 30October

Resumed 36th meeting of the OEWG,Dubai, UAE

1 - 5November

27th Meeting of the Parties, Dubai, UAE

Thank You