1 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer/Montreal Protocol: lessons learned from the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances process and support for climate protection Jose Pons HFC Management Workshop Paris, 11 July 2014

H F C M a n a g e m e n t W o r k s h o p, J u l y , P a r i s 2 It´s Impossible….. Initial rejection of the hypothesis of Rowland and Molina Phasing-out ODS was impossible because: ODS were essential ODS were non-flammable There was not capacity to produce alternatives Cost would be prohibitive Joe Farman reported in Nature in 1985 existence of Ozone Hole Lesson: We were lucky that discovery of the Ozone Hole prompted action, but it would not be wise to wait till nature warns us again to react.

H F C M a n a g e m e n t W o r k s h o p, J u l y , P a r i s 3 Take the big/low hanging fruit first…. The initial reductions are easy, basically cut waste... Attempted at Kyoto, but... Necessary that all countries commit to the Protocol Countries have a common but differentiated responsibility to protect and manage the global commons Developing countries (A5) received grace periods to complete their phase-outs at a slower pace than developed countries The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol assisted A5 parties to the Montreal Protocol Lesson: Need global commitment to succeed.

H F C M a n a g e m e n t W o r k s h o p, J u l y , P a r i s 4 Basing Policies on Sound Science Panels for Scientific, Environmental Effects, Technology, and Economic Assessments established in 1989 Provided independent assessments to help Parties make informed decisions. Major reports by each Panel and a Synthesis Report produced every four years Hundreds of specialists shared their know-how to allow Parties see the bigger picture and make the right decisions First decade of Protocol brought impressive changes in the phase- out of ODS. Different Amendments forced more strict controls Lesson: Well informed Parties able to tackle problems.

H F C M a n a g e m e n t W o r k s h o p, J u l y , P a r i s 5 Making it Happen Technical Option Committees identified alternative technologies Parties to report annual production and consumption of ODS Strategies for phase-out adjusted to the reality of each application Some uses essential, but did not require new production of ODS because stocks could last decades (Halons), other uses still need Essential or Critical Use Exemptions (MDIs) Needed to understand banks of ODS, their size, rate of emissions, and potential to recovery, as well finding proper destructions processes Lesson: Different solutions tailored to each case and moment.

H F C M a n a g e m e n t W o r k s h o p, J u l y , P a r i s 6 Phase-out: Start and Strengthen In many cases replacement were not readily available or were extremely expensive Phase-out was not only about chemicals but also about processes Where a single chemical was originally used many alternatives emerged Development and validation of new technologies essential Parties understood changing circumstances and forced action on new substances Lesson: Change controlled and gradual, final stage of ODS phase–out reached without problems.

H F C M a n a g e m e n t W o r k s h o p, J u l y , P a r i s 7 Technology Transfer An Executive Committee comprising members from A5 and non A5 oversees the operation of the Multilateral Fund The Multilateral Fund and Implementing Agencies complete projects to phase-out ODS in A5 Offices responsible for Implementing Country Programs or National Phase-out Strategies and Institutional Strengthening were established in all A5 Regional Networks and UNEP DTIE helped disseminate information Lesson: Special provisions of the MP enabled A5 to comply with the Protocol and be full partners.

H F C M a n a g e m e n t W o r k s h o p, J u l y , P a r i s 8 Climate and Ozone The expected recovery of the Ozone layer is affected by Climate Change Ozone has long times of response, Climate has an even bigger inertia; in both cases we are in for the long run Phase-out of CFCs helped mitigate Climate Change, but there is still much that can be done The Montreal Protocol has important human and institutional resources deployed around the world and a proven record managing the phase-out of ODS Let us work together.