21 November 2008: The eighth Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the 20th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (COP 8/MOP 20) took place in Doha, Qatar, from 16-20 November 2008.
Parties adopted numerous decisions related to climate change, including
on the destruction of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and on the
funding of the accelerated phase-out under the Montreal Protocol of
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), a category of chemicals that deplete
the ozone layer and contribute to climate change.
The parties’ decision on the replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for
the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol for the triennium
2009-2011, agreeing to replenish the fund with US$490 million, resolved
a debate about the resources necessary to support the acceleration of
the phase-out of HCFCs, agreed to in 2007.
On the destruction of ODS in
stockpiles and discarded products such as refrigerators, delegates
agreed to request: the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund to
commence pilot projects; the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel
to undertake a cost-benefit analysis taking into consideration both
climate and ozone benefits; and the Secretariat to consult with experts
from the UNFCCC, the GEF, the Executive Board of the Clean Development
Mechanism and the World Bank to develop a report on possible funding
opportunities for the management and destruction of ODS banks. Also
under discussion is the possibility of phasing-out hydrofluorocarbons,
which are potent greenhouse gases as well as ozone depletors, under the
Montreal Protocol.
In a related development, the US, the Netherlands
and Australia announced in Doha their militaries’ assistance in the
collection and storage of banks of ODS in a partnership. Successfully
disposing of stockpiles and banks of ODS could have significant
benefits for the climate and for ozone. [IISD RS coverage of COP-8/MOP-20] [UN Press Release] [UNEP Press Release]
