The ozone layer, which protects life on Earth from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, is steadily recovering, according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He credited the Montreal Protocol for playing a crucial role in this recovery.
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“The ozone layer, once in serious trouble, is now on the road to recovery,” Guterres said on the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. He stressed that while this progress is significant, more action is still needed.
The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, is a landmark environmental agreement that regulates nearly 100 man-made chemicals known as ozone-depleting substances (ODS). Guterres highlighted that, in a time when global cooperation is often under strain, the success of this agreement serves as a symbol of hope. It shows that when nations work together with a common goal, meaningful change is possible.
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By phasing out ODS, the Montreal Protocol has not only helped protect the ozone layer but also contributed to climate efforts by safeguarding carbon sinks, protecting public health, and preventing economic losses.
Guterres also mentioned the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which targets the reduction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful gases that contribute to global warming. This amendment, if fully adopted and implemented, could help limit global temperature rise by 0.5°C by the end of this century.
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While four out of five countries have ratified the Kigali Amendment, more work is needed to prevent a climate crisis. On World Ozone Day, Guterres urged global commitment to continue building on the success of the Montreal Protocol, demonstrating the power of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges.
