The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, is one of the most important and successful Global environmental treaties ever to be adopted on the 16th September 1987, and has successfully reduced the global production, consumption, and emissions of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs).
It was adopted on the 16th September 1987, to protect the Stratospheric Ozone Layer which protects the Planet Earth from excessive Ultra Violet (UV) Radiation from the sun by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
ODS are substances that were commonly used in products such as refrigerators, air conditioners, fire extinguishers, aerosols and other cooling equipment.
World Ozone Day 2023 celebrates the achievements of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in fixing the ozone layer and at the same time reducing climate change.
By banning ozone-depleting substances and allowing the ozone layer to slowly recover, the treaty protecting millions of people from skin cancer and eye cataracts, safeguarding ecosystems and slowing down climate change – as many ozone-depleting substances ODSs are also potent greenhouse gases with high Global Warming Potential (GWP) that contribute to climate change.
However, the work and the benefits of the Montreal Protocol is far from over, With the planet heating up, and the demands for more air-conditioning in homes, schools and workplaces, and at the same time, expanding access to sustainable cold chain – to keep food fresh and vaccines viable, it is essential to meet sustainable development aspirations, there is a marked increase in potent Green House gases being used in cooling systems.
This growth in cooling must be sustainable, which means both finding safe and environmentally friendly alternatives to HFCs and increasing the energy efficiency of cooling equipment.
At their 28th Meeting of Parties (MOP) 15th October 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda, all the countries adopted the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to phase down consumption and production of Hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) which are powerful climate-warming gases that have replaced ozone-depleting substances in the cooling industry.
By phasing down HFCs, the Kigali Amendment may result in avoidance of up to 0.5°C of warming by 2100, whilst implementing energy efficiency measures could potentially double this figure.
Though Seychelles, a small island state and also a Low Volume Country (LVC) in terms of importation became Party to the Montreal Protocol when:
In 1993, ratify the Vienna Convention, The Copenhagen Amendment, the Montreal Protocol and London Amendment, for the Phase-out of ChloroFluoro carbons(CFCs) in 2010 In 2002, it ratify the Montreal and Beijing Amendment for the Phase-out of Hydrochloro Fluoro carbons (HCFCs) in 2020.
In 2019, with unanimous agreement by the National Assembly, Seychelles ratified The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on the 18th August 2019 and became effective 18th November 2019.
On 16th of September 2023, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer will be Commemorating 36 Years, whilst Seychelles will be celebrating 30 Years of Ratification, with this year theme “Montreal Protocol: “Fixing the Ozone layer and reducing Climate Change”.