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A global win against Ozone Depletion: Can we do the same for climate change?

Every year on September 16th, the world celebrates the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, a treaty that has become one of humanity’s greatest environmental success stories

Every year on September 16th, the world celebrates the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, a treaty that has become one of humanity’s greatest environmental success stories. Thanks to this agreement, which has phased out nearly 99 per cent of ozone-depleting chemicals like Chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs), Hydrochlorofluorocarbons(HCFCs) and halons, the ozone layer is now on track to fully recover by the 2060s, according to the 2024 World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) report. But this victory isn’t just about protecting us from harmful UV radiation; it also holds critical lessons for today’s fight against Climate Change.

While the Montreal Protocol is deemed a success story, some challenges have emerged. Many of the phased-out chemicals were not only damaging to the ozone layer but also extremely potent greenhouse gases. By eliminating them, the world avoided up to 1°C of warming by 2050, a huge unintended climate benefit. The Kigali Amendment (2016) took this even further by targeting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the chemicals that replaced CFCs in refrigerators and air conditioners but turned out to be thousands of times more potent GHGs than CO₂. If fully implemented, the Kigali Amendment could prevent an additional 0.4°C of warming by 2100, proving that environmental policies can adapt to new scientific technologies.

As we continue to fight the climate crisis, the ozone story proves that nations can unite to create clear regulations and shift to safer and energy-efficient alternatives. It demonstrated that helping developing nations transition is key; the Multilateral Fund provided financial support in low and middle-income countries to phase out CFCs. This model could be expanded for climate finance today.

As we mark World Ozone Day, the message is clear: humanity can solve the global environmental crisis when science, policy, and the public align. The ozone layer’s recovery is proof of what’s possible. Now we must bring the same urgency to climate action. The stakes are higher, the obstacles greater, but the blueprint for success already exists. We just need to follow it.

 

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Under this program, CEJAD aims to eliminate the risk posed by exposure to lead in paints to women and children, and improve the regulatory frameworks to phase out lead in paint at national, regional and international level.

Our work under this program aims to promote the phase out of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) from use, especially in agriculture to protect human health and the environment. The use of HHPs is threatening the lives of vulnerable populations, food systems, biodiversity and the environment at large.

Our work under the Mercury Program aims to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds in line with the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a legally binding global treaty adopted in 2013. Kenya is a party to the Minamata Convention.

The Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987, protects the ozone layer by regulating ozone-depleting substances (ODS), such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). It mandates the phase-out of CFC and HCFC production and consumption with specific timeframes for different Parties, based on their status as a developed or developing country.

Our work under this program aims to reduce the health and environmental impacts associated with waste and plastics throughout their life cycle. Over the years, plastic and plastic products have emerged as problematic and hazardous to human health and the environment.