But the group also warns about the unintended effects on the ozone layer of new technologies such as geoengineering.
in one report published every four years on the progress of The Montreal ProtocolThe panel confirmed the removal of nearly 99% of prohibited ozone-depleting substances.
The Montreal Protocol has signed September 1987 and is a landmark multilateral environmental agreement that regulates the consumption and production of nearly 100 man-made chemicals, or ‘ozone-depleting substances’ (ODS).
The overall gradual reduction has resulted in a notable recovery of the protective ozone layer in the upper stratosphere and reduced human exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.
Meg Seki, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Ozone Secretariat.
“Over the past 35 years, the Protocol has become the real champion for the environment. The assessments and assessments carried out by the Scientific Review Panel remain an important component of the work of the Protocol to help inform policy and decision-makers.”
ozone recovery
The discovery of a hole in the Ozone Layer was first announced by three scientists from the British Antarctic Survey, in May 1985.
According to the Panel report, if current policies remain in place, the class is expected to recover to 1980 values by 2040.
In Antarctica, this recovery is expected around 2066 and in the North Pole by 2045.
The variation in the size of the Antarctic ozone hole, especially between 2019 and 2021, is mainly due to meteorological conditions.
However, the breakdown of the ozone layer over Antarctica has been gradually improving in area and depth since 2000.
Impact on climate change
The Montreal Protocol has benefited climate change mitigation efforts, helping to avoid an estimated 0.5°C global warming.
The report reaffirms the positive impact the treaty has had on the climate.
In 2016, an additional agreement to the Montreal Protocol, known as Modify Kigali requires a gradual reduction in the production and consumption of some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
HFCs do not directly deplete the ozone layer, but are a powerful gas that contributes to global warming and accelerates climate change.
The panel said it estimated the revision would avoid an additional 0.3–0.5°C warming by 2100.
“Ozone action sets a precedent for climate action. Our success in phasing out ozone-eating chemicals shows us what can and must be done – as a matter of urgency – to transition away from fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gases and thus limit the temperature rise,” he said WMO Secretary General Petteri Taalas.
New technology alert
The panel warned against using a potential method to reduce climate warming by increasing sunlight reflection.
For the first time, they examined the potential effects on the ozone layer arising from the intentional addition of aerosols to the stratosphere, known as stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI).
But they warn that an “unintended consequence” of SAI is that it “could also affect stratospheric temperatures, ozone circulation and production, and destruction and transport rates.”
