World Ozone Day

  • Observed annually on 16 September, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1994.
  • Date commemorates the signing of the Montreal Protocol (1987).
  • 2026 Theme: "Global action for a cooler planet – Celebrating 10 years of sustainable cooling under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol."
  • Focus: rising cooling demand, energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling solutions.

The Montreal Protocol

  • Adopted in 1987; a legally binding multilateral environmental agreement under the Vienna Convention (1985).
  • Regulates production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) such as CFCs and HCFCs.
  • Consumption is defined as: Production + Imports – Exports – Verified Destruction.
  • Sets differentiated phase-out timetables for developed (Article 5 non-exempt) and developing countries.
  • Success: Phase-out of 99% of ODS globally; celebrated as the world's most successful environmental treaty.
  • Universal Ratification: On 16 September 2009, the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol became the first treaties in UN history to achieve universal ratification (198 UN member states).

Vienna Convention (1985)

  • Established a framework for international cooperation, environmental monitoring and scientific research on ozone protection.
  • India became a Party in 1991.

India's Achievements

  • Became a Party to the Montreal Protocol in June 1992.
  • Phased out CFCs, Carbon tetrachloride (CTC) and Halons.
  • Complete phase-out of HCFC-141b from production, import and use from 1 January 2020.
  • Achieved 67.5% reduction in HCFC production and consumption by 2025.

The Kigali Amendment (2016)

  • Adopted at the 28th Meeting of the Parties (MOP 28), Kigali, Rwanda, 2016.
  • HFCs, adopted as CFC/HCFC alternatives, do not deplete ozone but are potent greenhouse gases.
  • Mandates a global phase-down of HFCs, converting the ozone treaty into a climate mitigation framework.
  • Projected to avoid 0.3–0.5°C of warming by 2100.

India's Kigali Commitments

  • Ratified the Kigali Amendment in 2021.
  • Freeze HFC consumption in 2028; phase down 85% by 2047 in four stages:
  • 10% by 2032
  • 20% by 2037
  • 30% by 2042
  • 85% by 2047 (against baseline)

India's New Digital Platforms

  • Net Zero Portal: Voluntary registration and progress reporting towards net-zero emissions by industries, organisations and government bodies.
  • NAPCC Dashboard: Centralised gateway to track progress across India's National Missions on Climate Change under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.

Significance for UPSC

  • Illustrates successful multilateral environmental governance and India's compliance with international commitments.
  • Links ozone protection with climate change mitigation (GS Paper 3) and international treaties (GS Paper 2).