The use of methyl bromide and a range of other ozone-depleting substances was the subject of a recent meeting in Geneva.

The twenty-fourth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) of Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer met from 13-16 July 2004. A major issue on the agenda was the question of exemptions to allow the use of methyl bromide. Allowances for the use of this ozone-depleting chemical had proved to be a major sticking point in negotiations in late 2003, with an extraordinary Meeting of Parties required in March 2004 to help break the deadlock.
Methyl bromide discussions: A range of issues relating to methyl bromide were discussed, including a proposal from the US concerning the granting of multi-year exemptions (as opposed to single-year exemptions) for the use of this chemical. While a number of delegations supported the proposal on the grounds that it could improve flexibility and transparency, some participants wondered whether multi-year exemptions might encourage Parties to exaggerate their needs over several years, or discourage the development of alternatives to methyl bromide. The proposal was slated for further discussion at the upcoming Sixteenth Meeting of Parties (MOP-16), which is scheduled for November 2004. Parties also discussed the development of the accounting framework and handbook for reporting on methyl bromide. Further input was requested, which will be collated and presented at MOP-16. The work of the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee was considered, and delegates were informed that the Committee would be doing further work on this issue, and should have finalized a report on the subject by early October. In addition, an ad hoc working group looking at procedures and terms of reference for the Methyl Bromide Committee is scheduled to reconvene in Prague for two days immediately prior to MOP-16. Proposals on methyl bromide submitted by Kenya, Burkina Faso, Mauritius, Guatemala, the European Community, and several other Parties were also considered.
Metered-dose inhalers, the financial mechanism, and other issues: The OEWG also considered requests for exemptions to use several other ozone-depleting substances. On the issue of exemptions for chlorofluorocarbons used in metered-dose inhalers, the European Community introduced a draft decision on the subject. The draft, which sets out a timetable to review essential-use nominations and requests additional guidance on the matter, was the subject of contact group discussions, and will be taken up again at MOP-16.
Delegates were also briefed on a review of the Montreal Protocol’s financial mechanism. Preliminary results from the review suggest that the Protocol and its financial mechanism have functioned effectively, and identify areas where improvements are possible. Suggestions include alterations to improve the accuracy of performance indicators, transparency, the management of promissory notes, and the timeliness of payments.
Other issues taken up by the OEWG included the obligations of Parties under the Beijing Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the prevention of illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances, the UN globally harmonized system for classifying and labeling ozone-depleting chemicals, and the work of various technical options committees, including those dealing with halons, rigid and flexible foams, aerosols, sterilants and carbon tetrachloride.
By the conclusion of the meeting, the Working Group had forwarded a variety of draft decisions for consideration at MOP-16. These covered issues such as: methyl bromide; possible terms of reference for a study on the 2006-2008 replenishment of the Multilateral Fund; the development of a system for tracking international trade in ozone-depleting substances; and carbon tetrachloride emissions. Click here for the official report of this meeting.