The 47th meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (OEWG 47) considered a range of issues contributing the Protocol’s continued success. Scientific assessments continued to provide the basis for parties’ actions, enabling effective responses to new and emerging challenges to the health of the planet’s ozone layer.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) summary report of the meeting notes that delegates benefited from the latest report of the Protocol’s Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP), “which informed discussions on the items under consideration at this meeting.” The experts of the Panel and its Technical Options Committees (TOCs) supported delegates in the negotiation of draft decisions and other issues that will be further discussed at the 37th Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (MOP 37) in November.

OEWG 47 addressed further strengthening Montreal Protocol institutions and discussed national and regional initiatives to support the implementation of the Kigali Amendment, which sets a phasedown schedule for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – a group of synthetic gases that were developed to replace ozone-depleting substances (ODS) but are powerful greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Delegates also considered, inter alia:

  • Terms of reference for the study on the next replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF);
  • Options for the organization of the TEAP and its TOCs;
  • Life-cycle refrigerant management;
  • Metered-dose inhalers with low global warming potential (GWP) propellants;
  • Halon 1301 and other controlled substances used for fire suppression;
  • Feedstock uses of controlled substances; and
  • Enhancing regional atmospheric monitoring of controlled substances.

According to the ENB analysis of the meeting, concerns over the availability of funding were raised and further exacerbated when the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) flagged looming staffing and budget cuts to the US’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – and their impact on atmospheric monitoring. Several parties cautioned against relying on “just one country to do the heavy lifting when it comes to atmospheric monitoring.”

Widely regarded as one of the most successful multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), the Montreal Protocol has successfully tackled threats to the Earth’s protective ozone layer, from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and other ODS, for nearly 40 years. Today, through its Kigali Amendment, the Protocol also addresses HFCs.

OEWG 47 convened in Bangkok, Thailand, from 7-11 July 2025. [ENB Coverage of OEWG 47]