In response to ozone layer depletion, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1987 forged an agreement to freeze CFC production at 1986 levels. It is now mandatory worldwide for manufacturing companies to produce CFC-free refrigerators, significantly reducing the emission of these harmful chemicals.
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The global action taken to address the depletion of the ozone layer is encapsulated in the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Adopted in 1987, this international treaty marked a milestone in environmental diplomacy. The agreement aimed to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), primarily chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and other compounds.
Under the Montreal Protocol, countries committed to gradually eliminating the production and consumption of these substances, with developed nations leading the way and developing nations granted more extended timelines. The treaty’s success lies in its widespread ratification, global cooperation, and periodic amendments to include additional ODS. The phase-out of ODS has contributed to the gradual recovery of the ozone layer. The Protocol stands as a testament to the efficacy of international collaboration in addressing environmental challenges and serves as a model for confronting other global environmental issues.