The complex chemistry of the international ozone agreements
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg (Austria)
- Bradford Univ. (United Kingdom)
In response to the threat to the ozone layer, countries around the world have entered into agreements to phase out the use of harmful substances. The landmarks of this effort are the 1985 Vienna Convention, the 1987 Montreal Protocol, and the amendments to the protocol that were adopted in London in 1990 and in Copenhagen in 1992. Overall, the story is an inspiring example of the foresight in international management and constructive cooperation between government, industry, and science. However, the character of the international ozone regime - the agreements and institutions that are intended to protect the ozone layer - has changed markedly since 1990, and current studies largely fail to reflect this. Negotiators and officials from all countries have had to confront the difficulty of maintaining confidence and cooperation as control measures begin to impose real costs. The 1990 amendments left many important issues to be dealt with later. Some of these are now largely resolved, such as how to treat HCFCs, chemicals that can be used in place of the more destructive CFCs in some cases. Other issues have emerged clearly only since 1990 and remain to be dealt with at the international level. These include the questions of how to control emissions of ozone depleting substances ( as opposed to just controlling their production and consumption); how to maintain widespread confidence that nations are meeting their commitments and to resolve any disputes over compliance that may arise; and how to manage phaseouts in developing countries cooperatively, effectively, and fairly. These questions will be central at official discussions of the ozone issue in 1995 and beyond.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 86343
- Journal Information:
- Environment, Vol. 37, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
International cooperation in protection of atmospheric ozone: the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. Leonard v. B. Sutton award paper
Europe accelerates CFC phaseout, Germany scuttles eco-audit plan