International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

Life on earth would not be possible without sunlight. But the energy emanating from the sun would be too much for life on earth to thrive were it not for the ozone layer.

Sunlight makes life possible, but the ozone layer makes life as we know it possible.

The principal aim of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the ozone layer by taking measures to control the total global production and consumption of substances that deplete it, with the ultimate objective of their elimination on the basis of developments in scientific knowledge and technological information.

The United Nations’ International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated on September 16 every year. It commemorates the 1987 signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

The day promotes activities that raise awareness about climate change and ozone depletion.

The ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the earth from the harmful portion of the sun's rays, thus helping to preserve life on the planet. As such, it is paramount that we protect the ozone layer from harmful substances such as HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons).

HCFCs are both ozone-depleting substances and powerful greenhouse gases that contribute to the thinning of the ozone layer. Almost 2,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide in adding to global warming, the successful reduction of HCFC emissions remains one of the UN’s greatest challenges.

The phase-out of controlled uses of ozone-depleting substances and the related reductions have not only helped protect the ozone layer for this and future generations but have also significantly contributed to global efforts to address climate change. Furthermore, it has protected human health and ecosystems by limiting harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the earth.

The theme for the 2022 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is "Montreal Protocol@35: global cooperation protecting life on earth."

The theme for this year recognizes the wider impact the Montreal Protocol has on climate change and the need to act in collaboration, forge partnerships, and develop global cooperation to address climate challenges and protect life on earth for future generations.

As the Montreal Protocol treaty turns 35 on this year’s World Ozone Day, the international community will remember how the Montreal Protocol ended one of the biggest threats ever to face humanity as a whole, the depletion of the ozone layer.

The Montreal Protocol keeps us, our food, and vaccines cool.

The Montreal Protocol started life as a global agreement to protect the ozone layer, a job it has done well, making it one of the most successful environmental agreements to date.

A united global effort to phase out ozone-depleting substances means that today, the hole in the ozone layer is healing, in turn protecting human health, economies, and ecosystems.

But, as this year’s World Ozone Day seeks to highlight, the Montreal Protocol does so much more, such as slowing climate change and helping to boost energy efficiency in the cooling sector, which contributes to food security.

On this day, let us always remember that we are the ones responsible for its destruction and we are the ones who need to protect it.