The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 16 September as International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer in 1994, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (resolution 49/114). A number of commonly used chemicals have been found to be extremely damaging to the ozone layer. Halocarbons are chemicals in which one or more carbon atoms are linked to one or more halogen atoms (fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine). Halocarbons containing bromine usually have much higher ozone-depleting potential (ODP) than those containing chlorine. The man-made chemicals that have provided most of the chlorine and bromine for ozone depletion are methyl bromide, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and families of chemicals known as halons, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

In 1985, the world’s governments adopted the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Under the Convention’s Montreal Protocol, governments, scientists and industry worked together to cut out 99 per cent of all ozone-depleting substances. Thanks to the Montreal Protocol, the ozone layer is healing and expected to return to pre-1980 values by mid-century. In support of the Protocol, the Kigali Amendment, which came into force in 2019, will work towards reducing hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs), greenhouse gases with powerful climate warming potential and damaging to the environment.World Ozone Day shows that collective decisions and action, guided by science, are the only way to solve major global crises.

FORUM: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2020 "Ozone for life: 35 years of ozone layer protection."

World Ozone Day, held on September 16, celebrates this achievement. It shows that collective decisions and action, guided by science, are the only way to solve major global crises. In this year of the COVID-19 pandemic that has brought such social and economic hardship, the ozone treaties’ message of working together in harmony and for the collective good is more important than ever. The slogan of the day, ‘Ozone for life’, reminds us that not only is ozone crucial for life on Earth, but that we must continue to protect the ozone layer for future generations.

Statement by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on International Day for the Preservation of Ozone Layer 2020; September 16th.

There are few global agreements as successful as the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Today, on World Ozone Day, we celebrate 35 years of this convention, which was the first step in fixing the hole in the planet’s ozone layer.

Gases used in aerosols and cooling appliances were causing this hole. Under the convention’s Montreal Protocol, governments, scientists and industry cooperated and have so far replaced 99 per cent of these gases. The ozone layer is now healing, safeguarding human and ecosystem health.

But the work of the Montreal Protocol is not over. Through the Protocol’s Kigali Amendment, the international community is finding alternatives for coolants that contribute to the growing menace of climate disruption. If fully implemented, the Kigali Amendment can prevent 0.4 degrees Celsius of global warming. I congratulate the 100 Parties that have been leading by example.

As we look ahead to global recovery from the social and economic devastation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we must commit to building stronger and more resilient societies. It is imperative that we put our efforts and investments into tackling climate change and protecting nature and the ecosystems that sustain us.

The ozone treaties stand out as inspiring examples that show that, where political will prevails, there is little limit to what we can achieve in common cause. Let us take encouragement from how we have worked together to preserve the ozone layer and apply the same will to healing the planet and forging a brighter and more equitable future for all humanity.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

UNEP Executive Director Message For World Ozone Day 2020

“Today on World Ozone Day, we celebrate 35 years of the Vienna convention for the protection of the ozone layer.

This convention and its Montreal Protocol united the world to cut out the gases creating a hole in the planet’s ozone layer, critical in shielding us against deadly UV radiation. This model of international cooperation has put the ozone layer on the road to recovery, protecting human and ecosystem health.

Such cooperation demonstrates that when people work together, they can fix problems on a global scale.

We need this unity of purpose more than ever, as we seek to address nature loss, climate change and pollution in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic and the discussions on the replenishment of the multilateral fund.

The ozone treaties have a major role to play in this work. Particularly, through the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal protocol. As we know, the Kigali Amendment has now been ratified by 100 parties and, fully implemented, will prevent 0.4°C of global warming.

I congratulate all involved in the ozone treaties for the 35 years of success and I wish them many more to come.”

Inger Anderson, UNEP Executive Director