Parties to the Montreal Protocol agree on financial support and pilot projects for developing countries
Developing countries will receive more funds to phase out ozone-depleting substances. At the 20th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer which drew to a close in Doha (Qatar) last night, the 193 Contracting Parties agreed on a 400 million US$ support package for the Multilateral Fund (MLF). Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel welcomed the decision: "The fact that the Parties made further financial commitments in times of global financial crisis demonstrates the tremendous importance of climate protection and the protection of the ozone layer. In particular last year's decision to refrain from the use of extremely climate damaging refrigerants and propellants earlier than scheduled can only be implemented successfully if the industrialised countries make available sufficient funds."
The countries participating in the five day conference agreed on a number of projects, for example on the future management of CFCs from used appliances and on measures to prevent the emission of gases into the atmosphere. A project from Brazil, developed in conjunction with German experts, on the recycling of refrigerators was met with great interest. This project links the protection of the ozone layer with climate protection and waste avoidance measures. The project is funded with emissions trading proceeds within the framework of the German Climate Protection Initiative.
The Doha conference participants also raised the issue that some of the substances used as an alternative to the currently used refrigerants and propellants also have a climate damaging potential. Fluorinated greenhouse gases, for example, are used as an alternative to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs, HCFCs). These so-called F-gases have the disadvantage of possessing an extremely high global warming potential. Therefore, the conference participants agreed on a workshop to be held in spring 2009 to discuss the future handling of F-gases with experts from the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Federal Environment Minister Gabriel also commended the host country Qatar for its initiative to carry out a paperless conference. To allow conference participants universal access to all documents, Qatar made 700 laptops available to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) which will also be available for use at future conferences.
Background: The Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer was agreed in 1987 and has now been ratified by 193 countries. The Protocol stipulates a phase-out of ozone-depleting substances and limits the manufacturing, import and use of these substances. Developing countries can receive financial support from the Multilateral Fund for their phase-out measures. The funds are managed by the Executive Committee which also coordinates the relevant phase-out projects. Germany is a member of the Executive Committee.