UN Environment will continue supporting countries in protecting the ozone layer and fighting climate change under the Montreal Protocol.

OzonAction will in 2017 and 2018 help ensure Kyrgyzstan and Moldova reduce use of ozone-depleting substances, collect and report on data and carry out awareness-raising activities, among other institutional strengthening actions agreed under the Protocol.

The new projects were approved on 28 November – 2 December at the 77th meeting of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund, which helps developing countries meet their Montreal Protocol commitments.

OzonAction will be responsible for training technicians and customs officers, ensuring that safe refrigeration and air conditioning technologies are used, and that illegal trade of controlled substances is prevented.

Parties to the Montreal Protocol last year agreed in Kigali, Rwanda last year to phase-down the use of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) – which are ozone-friendly, but also potent greenhouse gases.

Armenia is required to reduce use of HFCs by 35% by 2020 under the treaty, but has agreed to go for a 65% reduction, while Kyrgyzstan has pledged to end consumption entirely by the same date.

The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol will enter into force in January 2019 if at least 20 countries ratify it. This will transform the treaty into a climate agreement.

The Protocol is ratified by all UN member states and is ensuring the complete phase-out of ozone-depleting substances, including HFC refrigerants.

This will help the layer to recover in the second half of the century and better filter the harmful UV-B sun’s rays, thereby avoiding millions of cases of skin cancer and eye cataracts, among other damaging effects.

For more information on the treaty please click here or write to halvart.koppen@unep.org