PURPOSE: In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 16 September as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (resolution 49/114). The latest update from the Scientific Assessment Panel to the Montreal Protocol confirmed that ozone layer recovery is on track and ozone levels are expected to return to 1980 levels by around 2066 over the Antarctic. The aims of the World Ozone Day is to spread awareness among people about the depletion of Ozone Layer and find possible solutions to preserve it. A united global effort to phase out ozone depleting substances means that today, the hole in the ozone layer is healing, in turn protecting human health, economies and ecosystems.

FORUM: "Montreal Protocol: Advancing climate action." International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2024. The Montreal Protocol is rightly hailed as a multilateralism success story. It united the world to phase out ozone-depleting substances putting the ozone layer on the path to recovery and protecting all life on Earth. On this Day, we celebrate its climate action. Phasing out ozone-depleting substances has proven to be a powerful tool for climate action that has helped slow global warming, for example, postponing the first ice-free Arctic summer by up to 15 years. Through the Kigali Amendment, climate action is being further accelerated. Countries commit to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – powerful climate-warming gases that replaced ozone-depleting substances in the various sectors. If the Amendment is fully ratified and implemented, up to 0.5°C of warming could be avoided by 2100. Cooling equipment represents 20 per cent of total electricity consumption today and is expected to more than double by 2050. Kigali Amendment implementation alongside a switch to energy efficient cooling equipment could potentially double these gains! Work has already begun to deliver on these climate action gains. Nearly 80 per cent of Parties have ratified the Kigali Amendment, including the US, China and India – all major producers or consumers of HFCs. Developed countries began phasing down HFCs in 2019 with many developing countries starting this year. Especially emphasizing the Kigali Amendment, which through the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and improved efficiency in the cooling sector, will provide additional climate mitigation benefits. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #16September, #OzoneDay, #MontrealProtocol, #HFCs, #KigaliAmendment, #Ozonelayer, #climatechange.

EVENTS: On September 16th, the UNEP Ozone Action and its partners will mark the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2024. On this thirty-seventh anniversary, we will remember how the Montreal Protocol ended one of the biggest threats ever to face humanity: the depletion of the ozone layer. The conclusion is clear: for nearly 4 decades, the Montreal Protocol has been instrumental – and will continue to be instrumental – in protecting human health, nature and the climate. During this observance, we will celebrate the achievements of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in fixing the ozone layer and progress in reducing climate change. Participants will look to the future for deeper and faster action under the Montreal Protocol. Deeper and faster for the ozone layer but above all, for people, for climate and for the planet.

STATEMENTS: Read the Statement from the United Nations Secretary-General on International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2024; September 16th and the Statement by the United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director for World Ozone Day 2024.