Montreal Protocol: 30th anniversary, a milestone for planet earth, UN sec gen says

The thirtieth anniversary of the Montreal Protocol is a milestone for all people and our planet.  When scientists found that everyday products were destroying the fragile ozone layer, the world responded with the Montreal Protocol.  It rallies governments, companies, doctors, scientists and citizens to reverse the damage.”

These were the words of United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres in his message on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol.

On September 16, 1987, nations agreed on “The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.” The aim of this protocol was to eliminate the production and use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and other chemicals said to be ozone-depleting substances used in aerosols, refrigeration systems.

The day subsequently has been marked by the UN as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

Guterres, in his statement on the day, went on to say that implementing the protocol “saves millions of people from skin cancer and cataracts each year, and the Protocol helps combat poverty, address climate change and protect the food chain.  The treaty also creates new business opportunities — and it will save the global economy over $2 trillion by 2050.”

“The Montreal Protocol is as necessary today as it was in the 1980s, not just for the ozone layer but also as part of global efforts to halt climate change,” said Erik Solheim, head of UN Environment.

Making his statement on the occasion, Solheim described the Montreal Protocol as “the most successful and all-encompassing global environment agreement ever” that “focused on people instead of science and politics.”

He said it took heroic efforts from government, scientists, companies and the citizens of the countries for the progress made so far to be achieved.

It has been reported that all the nations of the world that signed up to the protocol have phased out nearly 99 per cent of ozone-depleting substances. In September 2014, a report from the Scientific Assessment Panel of the Montreal Protocol confirmed that the ozone layer is healing and will return to 1980 levels by mid-century. As a result, up to two million cases of skin cancer may be prevented each year by 2030.

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