The OzonAction Special Issue (OASI) features articles from international experts on many important issues including the celebrations of 25 years of the Montreal Protocol. OASI is the mouthpiece of the Montreal Protocol. A special issue dedicated to stratospheric ozone and climate change related issues and the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, providing the most recent information on ozone protection activities from industry, governments, NGOs and international organizations. It is devoted to current topics of particular interest to Article 5 countries, i.e. maximizing climate benefits from ozone protection activities. OASI is produced by the UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch and financially supported by the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

The OzonAction Special Issue is an annual newsletter that covers environmental topics related to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the ozone layer, and other related environmental topics.

The OzonAction Special Issue is the mouthpiece of the Montreal Protocol, dedicated to stratospheric ozone protection and the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, providing the most recent information on ozone protection activities from industry, governments, NGOs, and international organisations. Special supplements are devoted to current topics of particular interest to Article 5 countries. The OzonAction Special Issue is the pre-eminent international news source dedicated to the protection of the ozone layer and implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

The OzonAction Special Issue (OASI) features articles from international experts on many important issues related to the Montreal Protocol. A special issue dedicated to stratospheric ozone and climate change related issues and the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, providing the most recent information on ozone protection activities from industry, governments, NGOs and international organizations. It is devoted to current topics of particular interest to Article 5 countries, i.e. maximizing climate benefits from ozone protection activities.

This book contains the stories of the hard work of the past 20 years that went into making the Montreal Protocol work. As the biggest producer and consumer of ozone depleting substances, the Asia-Pacific region has shown that it is possible to work together when faced with a global environmental threat. This publication can serve as a guide for other multilateral environmental agreements to also think globally and act locally.

This global study addresses how and to what degree national, regional and international actions taken under the Montreal Protocol have also contributed to the restructuring of national economies and the global one towards a “Green Economy”, defined as “one which achieves increasing wealth, provides decent employment, successfully tackles inequities and persistent poverty, and reduces ecological scarcities and climate risks”. More specifically, this study explores how the Montreal Protocol has contributed to the stimulation of more efficient production processes, driving innovation, industrial restructuring, job creation, trade, health and ecosystem benefits, and climate change mitigation.

Until the World Customs Organisation’s Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, or Harmonized System (HS) is revised in 2022, all HS codes for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are contained in a single HS code which does not allow differentiation of the individual chemicals or of mixtures/blends. This document outlines a proactive interim approach, recommended by the World Customs Organization (WCO), to establish additional digits in the existing national HS codes to identify specific HFCs to facilitate monitoring of trade and enable a licencing system to function effectively. 

Refrigeration and air-conditioning is crucial for our health, nutrition, comfort and well-being. From prevention of food wastage to preservation of vaccines, from air conditioning in hospitals to our homes, we increasingly rely on the advances that refrigeration has brought us. However, all around the world the sector has always been a largely male-dominated work environment. The fast-growing sector can offer a wide variety of interesting and fulfilling careers for women as well as men. UN Environment Programme (UNEP), OzonAction, in cooperation with UN Women, has compiled this booklet to raise awareness of the opportunities available to women and to highlight the particular experiences and examples of women working in the sector and to recognise their successes. Being aware of these experiences and the opportunities available can encourage and inspire other women to consider similar careers and support girls to seek to follow a career path in this fast growing and important sector.

The new iPIC (Informal Prior Informed Consent) online system provides member countries with a standardised and personalised access to key licensing system data in each of the participating countries. As of June 2022, iPIC has at least 100 participating countries plus the European Union and lists more than 2000 companies authorised to trade ODS and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in its database. Countries that have not yet registered to use iPIC Online are strongly encouraged to do so to help enhance their national monitoring and control of legal trade and unwanted trade in substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol.

Following consultations with active users of iPIC Online, the platform has been revised to further simplify its use and provide basic and straightforward information to trade and customs authorities to facilitate approval of ODS shipment and issuance of appropriate import/export licence.

Contact your UNEP Regional Coordinators or the iPIC Online Administrator for more information.