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In 1987, at a United Nations conference in Montreal, 24 nations signed an agreement to reduce the industrial chemicals which were threatening the ozone layer. The accord, known as the Montreal Protocol, crowned years of intensive international negotiations in which Canada played a key role.
The Montreal Protocol was the first international agreement of its kind, and set a global precedent for the safeguarding of both the environment and human health. The agreement set binding targets for the gradual phase-out of ozone-destroying chemicals. Since 1987, the protocol has been continuously revised and strengthened. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made by Canada and most other industrialized countries in phasing out their use of ozone-depleting chemicals. Nations around the world are continuing to sign on to the protocol - to date, 168 countries have committed to the agreement.
We are now beginning to see the results of our efforts. Measurements show that the build up of the most significant CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) in the lower atmosphere is slowing. One of the key chemicals, CFC-11, is now decreasing.
In Canada, a highly successful national strategy has enabled federal and provincial governments to work together with industry to reduce our reliance on ozone-depleting chemicals.
Under this program, the federal government develops regulations to control the manufacture, import and export of these chemicals. Provincial governments regulate emissions and discharges into the environment and are responsible for the recovery and recycling of existing chemicals. As a result of this program, in the decade between 1986 and 1996, Canada reduced its production and import of ozone-depleting substances by 95%.
However, substantial work still needs to be done, particularly to eliminate the use of ozone-depleting chemicals in developing countries. Under the Montreal Protocol, the deadlines for phasing out the various chemicals have been extended by 10 to 15 years to allow the developing countries time to make the transition to replacement chemicals.
In 1991, a special international fund was established under the Montreal Protocol to assist developing countries in this task. The fund is financed by the developed countries and Canada's annual contribution is over $5 million (U.S. funds) at present. Under the terms of the fund, developed countries can use up to 20% of their contribution to carry out bilateral assistance projects. Environment Canada manages Canada's bilateral program, which helps promote the use of Canadian technology and expertise in about a dozen developing nations including Brazil, China, Cuba, India and Kenya.
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