Few global agreements have produced as good as the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Today, on World Ozone Day, we celebrate 35 years of this Convention, which was the first step towards fixing the planet's ozone layer hole.
Gases used in aerosols and cooling devices were causing this hole. Within the framework of the Montreal Protocol to the Convention, governments, the scientific community and industry worked together and have managed to replace 99 % of these gases so far. The ozone layer is now recovering, contributing to protecting the health of humanity and the ecosystem.
But the Montreal Protocol work isn't over. The Kigali Amendment to the Protocol allows the international community to find alternatives to coolants contributing to the growing threat of climate disturbances.
If applied in its entirety, the Kigali Amendment can prevent the planet's warm-up of 0,4 degrees Celsius. Congratulations to the 100 Parties that have been leading
with the example.
As we look towards global recovery from the social and economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we must commit ourselves to building stronger and more resilient societies. It is our duty to strive and invest in facing climate change and in protecting nature and ecosystems that sustain us.
Ozone treaties highlight as good examples of how there are few limits to what we can accomplish in a common cause when political will prevails.
Let's make this joint work to preserve the ozone layer serve as a stimulus to show the same determination in healing the planet and forging a more promising and equitable future for all humanity.
Antonio Guterres
UN Secretary General
International Day for Ozone Layer Preservation
September 16, 2020