Montreal protocol

 

Montreal Protocol

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed 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 under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer , and entered into force on 1 January 1989. Since then, it has undergone nine revisions, in 1990 (London), 1991 (Nairobi), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1993 (Bangkok), 1995 (Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), 1998 (Australia), 1999 (Beijing) and 2016 (Kigali) As a result of the international agreement, the ozone hole in Antarctica is slowly recovering. Climate projections indicate that the ozone layer will return to 1980 levels between 2050 and 2070. Due to its widespread adoption and implementation, it has been hailed as an example of successful international co-operation.

The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT) is an international agreement regulating treaties between states, known as the "treaty on treaties", it establishes comprehensive rules, procedures, and guidelines for how treaties are defined, drafted, amended, interpreted, and generally operated.

As of January 2018, there are 116 state parties that have ratified the convention, and a further 15 states have signed but have not ratified the convention.

Montreal protocol key points

 

• It facilitates global cooperation in reversing the rapid decline in atmospheric concentrations of ozone.

• Under the protocol countries agreed to phase out the production and consumption of certain chemicals that deplete ozone.

• Phase out of these substances is required by specific deadlines.

• The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol are the first and only global environmental treaties to achieve universal ratification, with 197 parties.

• As a result of the international agreement, the ozone hole in Antarctica is slowly recovering.

ODS

• Ozone depleting substances are man-made gases that destroy ozone once the gases reach the ozone layer.

Ozone depleting substances include:

1.     Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were widely used as refrigerants until the 1980.

2.     Hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) have been used as a substitute for CFCs.

3.     Hydrobromoflurocarbons (HBFCs).

4.     Halons (were used in fire extinguishers).

5.     Methyl bromide (was used as fumigant. Fumigation is a method of pest control by suffocating pests with poison)

6.     Carbon tetrachloride (formerly widely used in fire extinguishers, refrigerant and as a cleaning agent)

7.      Methyl chloroform (solvent for organic compounds; used for cleaning metal parts and circuit boards)

Kigali amendment to Montreal Protocol 2016

 

• Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda.

• In the 28^th meeting of the Parties (2016) to the Montreal Protocol, negotiators from 197 nations have signed an agreement to amend the Montreal Protocol in Kigali.

• The parties are expected to reduce the manufacture and use of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by roughly 80-

85% from their respective baselines, till 2045.

• This phase down is expected to arrest the global average temperature rise up to 0.5 °C by 2100.

• It is a legally binding agreement between the signatory parties.

• It came into effect from 1^st January 2019,

India’s position

 

• India has agreed on a lenient schedule as it consumes only 3% of HFCs as compared to the other nations like the USA (37%) and China (25%).

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are used since as an alternative to CFCs and HCFCs.

• HFCs do not contribute to ozone depletion.

• However, they are potent greenhouse gases with high global warming potential.

HFO Alternatives to HFCs

 

• HFO stands for hydrofluoro olefin.

• HFO refrigerants are composed of hydrogen, fluorine and carbon atoms, but contain at least one double bond between the carbon atoms.

Fluorochemical	Ozone Depleting Potential	Global Warming Potential
CFS	High	High
HCFCs	Low	High
HFCs	Zero	High
HFOs	Zero	Very Low
HBFCs	Medium	Low

 

The Ozone Depleting Substances Rules

 

• The rules are framed under the jurisdiction of Environment (Protection) Act.

• These Rules set the deadlines for phasing out of various ODSs, besides regulating production, trade  import and export of ODSs and the product containing ODS.

• These Rules prohibit the use of CFCs in manufacturing various products beyond 1^st January 2003 except in metered dose inhaler and for other medical purposes.

• Similarly, use of halons is prohibited after 1^st January 2001 except for essential use.

• Other ODSs such as carbon tetrachloride and Methylchoroform and CFC for metered dose inhalers can be used upto 1^st January 2010.

• Further, the use of methyl bromide has been allowed upto 1^st January 2015.

• Since HCFCs are used as interim substitute to replace CFC, these are allowed up to 1^st January 2040.

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