January 2011: The Ozone Secretariat has released the Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion 2010, which presents new and stronger evidence of the effect of stratospheric ozone changes on the Earth’s surface climate, and of the effects of climate change on stratospheric ozone.

The Assessment includes projections of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) growth in scenarios that assume no controls, suggesting that, by 2050, global warming potential (GWP) – weighted emissions from HFCs – could be comparable to the GWP-weighted emissions of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) at their peak in 1988. Leakage from ozone depleting substance (ODS) banks are highlighted as the largest source of current Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) – weighted emissions of ODSs. The Assessment warns that delay in the capture and destruction of estimated CFC banks from 2011-2015 is likely to reduce the possible ozone and climate benefits that could be achieved by about 30%.

The report includes chapters on: ODS and related chemicals; stratospheric ozone and surface ultraviolet (UV) radiation; future ozone and its impact on surface UV; stratospheric changes and climate; and a focus on information and options for policymakers. [The Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion 2010]