On Friday 15 September, the European Environment Agency (EEA) published encouraging data relating to protecting the ozone layer from ozone-depleting substances (ODS). These chemicals, commonly used in a variety of sectors including refrigerants and agricultural products, are being phased out under the 1989 Montreal Protocol, which aims to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by halting the production of over 200 harmful substances.
According to the EEA indicator, the figures for 2022 show a consumption of -3,623 metric tonnes of ODS in the EU. This means that a greater volume of these substances was destroyed or exported than was produced or imported, in stark contrast to the 1,176 metric tonnes in 2021, attributed to significant stockpiling of raw materials outside the EU.
Between 1986 and 2022, thanks to sustained efforts under the Montreal Protocol, consumption of these substances has fallen by 99% in Europe. Covering more than 200 potentially harmful substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), this protocol was a major milestone in environmental protection. In 2016, a major amendment was added to regulate hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are CFC substitutes but powerful greenhouse gases.
However, the road to full recovery of the ozone layer is not yet complete.
Strengthening its position, in April 2022, the European Commission presented a revision of the European regulation on ozone, on which an Interinstitutional Agreement was reached last June (see EUROPE 13201/18). This new regulation could make it possible to avoid up to 180 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and 32,000 tonnes of potentially depleting substances by 2050.
To view the EEA data, go to https://aeur.eu/f/8mm (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)