Change RegionBuilding Efficiency History (HCFC phase-out)
History and background
Following the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole in late 1985, governments recognized the need for stronger measures to reduce the production and consumption of a number of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - 11, 12, 113, 114, and 115 and several Halons - 1211, 1301, and 2402.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was adopted on 16 September, 1987 at the Headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal. The Protocol came into force on 1st January, 1989, when it was ratified by 29 countries and the EEC. Since then several other countries have ratified it too.
Parties agreed to freeze their production and usage of CFCs and halons within seven months of the Protocol’s entry into force, and to reduce usage of CFCs by 50% within 10 years. Developing countries were accorded a period of grace of 10 years.
The Protocol was designed with phase-out schedules that could be revised on the basis of periodic scientific and technological assessments. Following such assessments, the Protocol was adjusted to accelerate the phase out schedules.
Today, 180 countries have signed the Protocol. These countries (called ‘Parties to the Protocol’) meet twice every year. First as an “Open Ended Working Group” (OEWG) to prepare the commonly agreed decisions and then for the “Meeting of the Parties” (MOP) to continue the discussions and reach decisions. At present, the ozone layer is not expected to recover until 2050. Therefore, the Parties are working hard to decide on improvements that would encourage earlier recovery of the ozone layer.
The London Amendment was adopted in 1990 at the Second Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol held in London and entered into force on 10 August, 1992. The amendment further introduced hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), but only required reporting of production and usage data and did not introduce control measures.
The Copenhagen Amendment was adopted in 1992 at the Fourth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol held in Copenhagen and entered into force on 14 June, 1994. The amendment introduced control measures for consumption only for HCFCs.
The Beijing Amendment was adopted in 1999 at the eleventh Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol held in Beijing and entered into force on 25 February, 2002. The amendment introduced control measures for production for HCFCs and imposed restrictions on trade with non-Parties for these HCFCs.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was adopted on 16 September, 1987 at the Headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal. The Protocol came into force on 1st January, 1989, when it was ratified by 29 countries and the EEC. Since then several other countries have ratified it too.
Parties agreed to freeze their production and usage of CFCs and halons within seven months of the Protocol’s entry into force, and to reduce usage of CFCs by 50% within 10 years. Developing countries were accorded a period of grace of 10 years.
The Protocol was designed with phase-out schedules that could be revised on the basis of periodic scientific and technological assessments. Following such assessments, the Protocol was adjusted to accelerate the phase out schedules.
Today, 180 countries have signed the Protocol. These countries (called ‘Parties to the Protocol’) meet twice every year. First as an “Open Ended Working Group” (OEWG) to prepare the commonly agreed decisions and then for the “Meeting of the Parties” (MOP) to continue the discussions and reach decisions. At present, the ozone layer is not expected to recover until 2050. Therefore, the Parties are working hard to decide on improvements that would encourage earlier recovery of the ozone layer.
The London Amendment was adopted in 1990 at the Second Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol held in London and entered into force on 10 August, 1992. The amendment further introduced hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), but only required reporting of production and usage data and did not introduce control measures.
The Copenhagen Amendment was adopted in 1992 at the Fourth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol held in Copenhagen and entered into force on 14 June, 1994. The amendment introduced control measures for consumption only for HCFCs.
The Beijing Amendment was adopted in 1999 at the eleventh Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol held in Beijing and entered into force on 25 February, 2002. The amendment introduced control measures for production for HCFCs and imposed restrictions on trade with non-Parties for these HCFCs.
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