Meeting of Parties to Montreal Protocol started - aim to support emission reductions in developing countries

The 35th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer will be held in Nairobi on 23–27 October. The meeting will negotiate on funding for the next three-year period. The aim is to secure financial assistance to developing countries through the Multilateral Fund.

The Montreal Protocol is an agreement ratified by all countries that restricts the production, consumption and trade of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that are known as powerful greenhouse gases.

The Parties will negotiate about financial assistance targeted to developing countries. Developing countries that are parties to the Montreal Protocol receive financial assistance for the implementation of the commitments through the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol. Measures to reduce the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) will get started during the next three-year period, which is why the plan is to increase funding for the developing countries.

The aim is to also use the funding for improving energy efficiency and for the disposal of gases at end of life.

“Funding under the Montreal Protocol has proven highly cost-effective and it has already contributed to preventing significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. In the beginning of 2019 the Montreal Protocol was extended to also cover hydrofluorocarbons, and restricting their use may reduce global warming by as much as 0.4 degrees. By also investing in energy efficiency measures, we could even double the climate benefit,” says Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen.

Restricting the use of HFCs is an important step towards the target of keeping global temperature rise well below two degrees compared to pre-industrial levels.

HFCs are powerful greenhouse gases that are used in e.g. air conditioners and refrigerators. HFCs are being used because substances that deplete the ozone layer have been banned, and their use is growing rapidly especially in the developing economies. Some of the developed countries, the EU included, have already imposed strict restrictions on their use. Environmentally-friendly and energy efficient technologies to substitute for HFCs are already available for most purposes of use.

The Montreal Protocol concluded in 1987 is considered as the most successful international environmental agreement. All 197 countries of the world are Parties to the Protocol. Thanks to the agreement, the consumption of substances that deplete the ozone layer has decreased by more than 99%. The ozone layer is expected to fully recover by 2065. The success of the Montreal Protocol is based on a strong scientific background, participation of industrial sectors, financial assistance to developing countries, and a common political will to act for the benefit of the climate.

Inquiries:

Eeva Nurmi 
Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of the Environment
tel. +358 295 250 209, [email protected] 

Tapio Reinikainen
Senior Specialist, Finnish Environment Institute
tel. +358 295 250 082, [email protected]