Montreal Protocol negotiations pave the way for new funding to protect the ozone layer
In preparation for the decisions expected at the Thirty-Eighth Meeting of the Parties, scheduled for November 2026, international negotiations were held on the financing and implementation of the Montreal Protocol , in which the Open-ended Working Group participated, arriving at new guidance on financing, technology, monitoring and institutional arrangements.
The discussions focused on the financial needs for the period from 2027 to 2029, in addition to developing technological alternatives, strengthening monitoring and licensing systems, and confronting the illicit trade in controlled substances. Participants also discussed the continued use of some materials in specialized sectors, including civil aviation and medical inhalers.
These files reveal that protecting the ozone layer during the next stage depends on the availability of funding, institutional capabilities and appropriate technologies, in addition to continued cooperation between countries to implement the agreed-upon commitments.
The Montreal Protocol paves the way for financing the next phase
The Montreal Protocol is an international environmental agreement that aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out substances that deplete it, while the Kigali Amendment expanded its role to include reducing compounds with a high global warming potential. Countries follow up on the implementation of these commitments through periodic meetings that discuss financial and technological needs, and review monitoring systems, licensing, and institutional arrangements.
And in thisFramework The Open-ended Working Group held its forty-eighth meeting to prepare for the decisions to be taken by States during the Thirty-eighth Meeting of the Parties in November 2026. The preparatory meeting focused on developing technical and financial recommendations, discussing technological alternatives, strengthening the control of controlled substances, and supporting the capacity of national institutions to implement the Protocol.
Financing topped the discussions, as participants reviewed the initial assessment prepared by the Technology and Economic Assessment Team on the necessary needs; To replenish the resources of the Multilateral Fund; To implement the Montreal Protocol during the period from 2027 to 2029. The Fund provides support to developing countries through project financing, capacity building, technology transfer, and strengthening the institutions responsible for following up on the implementation of commitments.
He agreedParticipants received additional guidance for preparing a supplementary report for negotiators to base on when determining the value of the Fund’s replenishment in November. They also adopted requests related to developing cost scenarios, reviewing the methodology for calculating requirements, and taking into account the situations of countries with low and very low consumption of controlled substances.
Low-consumption countries enter financing accounts
Low-consumption countries mean countries that use limited quantities of substances controlled by the Montreal Protocol, such as some refrigerants and materials used in air conditioning, fire-fighting systems, and industrial products. Consumption here refers to the volume of these materials traded or used within the country, and not to the consumption of energy or resources in general.
Despite these small quantities, these countries need national institutions, licensing systems, databases, and technical personnel capable of monitoring the import, use, and gradual elimination of controlled substances. Implementation also requires training workers, upgrading equipment, supporting customs and regulatory authorities, and providing safer alternatives for the environment and climate.
Countries bear these basic costs even when the quantities of materials used are limited, so the volume of consumption alone may not reflect the amount of financing required to implement commitments. Hence, the new directives required taking into account the conditions of countries with low and very low consumption when preparing financing estimates for the coming period.
This helps the Technology and Economic Assessment Team to prepare more accurate calculations, taking into account differences in technical and institutional capabilities between countries, in addition to needs.Increases associated with the implementation of the Kigali Amendment and reduced use of gases with a high global warming impact.
This path is linked to the seventeenth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the goals related to mobilizing financial resources for developing countries, enhancing cooperation in technology and innovation, and supporting national capacity building.
New alternatives to aviation and inhalers
The meeting also discussed the continued use of Halon 1301 in civil aviation, and the steps required to move to suitable alternatives. This type of material is used in some fire extinguishing systems, which makes its replacement subject to precise technical requirements and safety standards.
Participants also took inhalers with fixed doses, and moved to powerful propellantsLow on global warming. This file shows the growing relationship between protecting the ozone layer and climate action, especially with the implementation of the Kigali Amendment related to reducing the use of gases with high climate impact.
These discussions highlight the role of innovation in the continued success of the Montreal Protocol; Disposing of controlled substances requires alternatives that achieve the same function, maintain safety, and reduce the environmental and climate impact.
This relates to the ninth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to industry, innovation and infrastructure, especially goal 9.5 concerned with enhancing scientific research and technological capabilities. It also links to target 12.4 of Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production, which calls for the environmentally sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle.
Participants discussed expanding regional monitoring of controlled substances in the atmosphere, while considering establishing new pilot monitoring sites. Monitoring systems provide scientific data that helps track the presence of these substances and evaluate trends over time.
Meteorological data supports the ability of countries and scientific bodies to review the results of implementation of the Montreal Protocol, and also helps to identify areas that need further follow-up or strengthening of control measures.
The meeting also dealt with strengthening national institutions and licensing systems, in addition to developing efforts directed at confronting the illicit trade in controlled substances. These systems play an important role in monitoring import and export and ensuring market complianceAccording to the approved rules.
This aspect reveals that the implementation of the environmental agreement depends on legislation, customs, information exchange and institutional capacity, in addition to financing and technology. It is also linked to Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which calls for building effective institutions capable of enforcing rules and achieving transparency.
Institutional arrangements before the Meeting of the Parties
Participants discussed options for reorganizing the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its technical committees, with the aim of developing its capacity to provide scientific, technical and economic advice to Parties.
Deliberations included the efficiency of the processes of the Montreal Protocol, including the timing, duration and organization of meetings. It also addressed the participation of Central Asian countries in the Eastern European Group, an institutional issue that will return to the agenda of the Thirty-Eighth COP.
These discussions contribute to ensuring that the Protocol’s bodies continue to operate efficiently and are able to deal with increasingly complex files related to financing, technology, monitoring and the implementation of the Kigali Amendment.
The November meeting is expected to discuss the level of replenishment of the Multilateral Fund’s resources for the period from 2027 to 2029, continue work on strengthening aerial surveillance, and resolve a number of organizational and institutional issues.
Ten years since the Kigali Amendment
The 38th COP coincides with the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Kigali Amendment, giving the negotiations an additional dimension related to climate action.
The amendment strengthened the dual role it plays Montreal Protocol; It combines the protection of the ozone layer with a reduction in the use of substances with a high potential to cause global warming. This interconnection highlights the importance of targets 13.2 and 13.3 of the Thirteenth Sustainable Development Goal on climate action, which are linked to integrating climate action into policies and strengthening institutional and human capacities.
In turn, Earth Conservators Foundation points out that the continued success of the Montreal Protocol requires funding that reflects implementation needs, appropriate technology, and effective monitoring and licensing systems. The decisions expected in November represent a pivotal step to transform international commitments into applicable programmes, supporting the protection of the ozone layer and enhancing efforts to limit climate change.
