Governance & Policy
Montreal Protocol
Definition
The Montreal Protocol is a treaty adopted in 1987 under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. It commits all UN member states to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances — including CFCs, halons and HCFCs — through scheduled reductions supported by a multilateral fund, and has been amended to extend controls to HFC greenhouse gases.
References
Treaty scope, phase-out schedules and amendments
Amendment history including Kigali
Overview
What it means
The ozone layer is on a recovery path because this treaty combined binding schedules, trade measures and finance for developing countries.
How it is used
Cited as the model for effective environmental treaties; refrigerant and chemical industries plan around its phase-down schedules.
Why it matters
It proved global treaties can reverse planetary-scale damage, and its HFC amendment added a major climate benefit.
Review questions
What source or framework gives the term authority? What boundary or role is being described? What evidence would a reviewer need before relying on the term?