Protecting the ozone layer: ‘Lead by research, joined in endeavor’

In the past century, a troubling decline in the ozone layer was confirmed by scientists. This layer, an unseen gas shield surrounding the Earth, is vital for protecting against the sun’s harmful UV rays.

The main culprits behind the thinning of the ozone layer were CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons, which were prevalent in the mid-1980s in common items such as air conditioners, fridges, and aerosol cans.

Science led the way to global action. Once it was realized that dangerous UV radiation was reaching the Earth’s atmosphere possibly through a damaged ozone layer, countries pledged under the Vienna Convention in 1985 to safeguard both people and the planet.

“The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol mark a seminal achievement of multilateral cooperation,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a message for this year’s World Ozone Day.

“Today, the ozone layer is recovering,” he noted.

What is the Vienna Convention?

Forty years ago, countries united to take the initial step in preserving the ozone layer, “guided by science, united in action,” the UN chief emphasized.

The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, ratified and signed by 28 countries on 22 March 1985, paved the way for global collaboration in protecting this fragile layer.

It’s the first treaty ratified by every nation in the world and the precursor to the Montreal Protocol.

The Montreal Protocol’s objective is to oversee and ultimately eliminate the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances.

Multilateralism at its Finest

In a video message, Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), stressed that the actions under these conventions have led to the near eradication of ozone-depleting substances and the healing of the ozone layer holes.

Following scientists’ warnings, countries, governments, and corporations came together and took decisive action for the planet.

“That is multilateralism at its very, very best,” she added.

The Montreal Protocol has seen significant progress in both developed and developing countries, with most phase-out timelines strictly followed or even surpassed.

Next, the Kigali Amendment

Mr. Guterres also called on governments to adopt and carry out the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which aims to gradually reduce hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases primarily used in cooling technologies.

Implementing the Kigali Amendment could prevent up to 0.5 degrees Celsius of global warming by the end of the century,” he said. “Alongside energy-efficient cooling, we could double these benefits.”

As per the Paris Agreement, there is a collective commitment to restrict global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“On this World Ozone Day, let’s recommit to preserving our ozone layer and protecting people and the planet for future generations,” the UN chief concluded.