International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
The Paris Agreement, a legally binding treaty signed by 196 parties in 2015 to limit global warming, is probably the most famous climate change accord in recent history. Yet, thousands of treaties exist today, and many with an environmental focus. But when indicators show that after 5 years the nations in the Paris Agreement are not unanimously hitting targets to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions - how can we know, or hope, that these types of international agreements actually work?
The Montreal Protocol
An international treaty that shines most brightly in terms of environmental success is often considered to be the UN Montreal Protocol. Judged by many to be a landmark agreement; and not only due to its ambitions, but from measurable results.
The Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987 after it was scientifically confirmed that harmful gases (commonly used in refrigerators, air conditioning, aerosols…) were depleting the ozone layer (“ozone-depleting gases”). The ‘hole’ in the ozone layer created by use of these harmful substances would have irrevocable and dangerous consequences. A healthy ozone layer is crucial the functioning of life, shielding the Earth and humans from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Suitably and through a tremendous feat of international collaboration the Montreal Protocol was formed, resulting in ozone-depleting gases’ being largely banned and/or replaced. In a short amount of time the ozone layer started to repair itself and the improvement continues to this day, with the ozone layer on track to recover to its pre-1980s state by 2050.
Collective action
The Montreal Protocol has not only been a success in terms of climate change but is a beacon of hope for international cooperation for collective action. There is a lot to learn from the Montreal Protocol and a lot to remain hopeful for as we face tough sustainability challenges ahead. On International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, the Montreal Protocol should be celebrated as an achievement of harmonisation for the greater good and importantly for the benefit of future generations. Leaving the planet in a better state than it is received is the crux of environmental sustainability and the Montreal Protocol, the Paris Agreement and many other treaties. To solve global crises we need individuals, communities, organisations, and nations to come together for collective decisions and to make shared plans and more than anything, like the Montreal Protocol, we need them to succeed.
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