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Flip to reveal answersWhat is the Montreal Protocol (1987)?
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All 15 Flashcards — The Montreal Protocol
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Question
What is the Montreal Protocol (1987)?
Answer
An international treaty that phases out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as CFCs.
💡 Hint
Global ODS phase-out.
Question
State the main aim of the Montreal Protocol.
Answer
To phase out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) to allow recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer.
💡 Hint
ODS phase-out.
Question
Give two success factors that helped the Montreal Protocol work.
Answer
Clear scientific consensus, available substitutes, fewer major producers to regulate, strong monitoring, and financial support for developing countries (any two).
💡 Hint
Science + substitutes + funding.
Question
Give one limitation or challenge of the Montreal Protocol.
Answer
Recovery is slow due to long-lived ODS; illegal production/smuggling can occur; and some replacement chemicals have climate impacts.
💡 Hint
Not perfect.
Question
Give one reason the Montreal Protocol is considered highly successful.
Answer
It achieved near-universal participation and a >99% reduction in many ODS, enabling ozone recovery.
💡 Hint
Universal + big reductions.
Question
What is one key data-style outcome linked to the Montreal Protocol?
Answer
A >99% reduction in many ODS and evidence that ozone depletion has stabilised with signs of slow recovery.
💡 Hint
Big reduction + recovery trend.
Question
Why is solving ozone depletion often considered easier than solving climate change?
Answer
ODS were produced by fewer sectors with clearer substitutes, whereas greenhouse gases come from almost all economic activity and require economy-wide transformation.
💡 Hint
Scope and sources differ.
Question
What is the Multilateral Fund in the context of the Montreal Protocol?
Answer
A funding mechanism that helped developing countries transition away from ODS by supporting technology transfer and implementation.
💡 Hint
Finance for developing countries.
Question
Why do amendments matter in long-term environmental treaties?
Answer
They allow targets to be strengthened as science improves and new problems (or substitutes) emerge, keeping policy aligned with evidence.
💡 Hint
Adaptive management.
Question
What is the Kigali Amendment (2016) and why is it important?
Answer
It added HFCs to the Montreal Protocol. HFCs do not deplete ozone but are powerful greenhouse gases, so phasing them down helps climate mitigation.
💡 Hint
Ozone treaty helps climate too.
Question
What is the key “lesson” the Montreal Protocol offers for global environmental governance?
Answer
Clear science, feasible alternatives, financial support, and universal cooperation can achieve large global environmental improvements.
💡 Hint
Science + alternatives + finance.
Question
Give one climate co-benefit of phasing out CFCs.
Answer
Many CFCs are powerful greenhouse gases, so reducing them avoided significant additional warming.
💡 Hint
ODS can also be GHGs.
Question
In an “evaluate” answer on Montreal, what’s a strong conclusion?
Answer
Conclude that it was highly effective at reducing ODS and enabling recovery, but note slow timelines, enforcement/replacement issues, and why lessons only partly transfer to climate.
💡 Hint
Balanced judgement.
Question
Why is recovery of the ozone layer slow even after the Montreal Protocol?
Answer
Because many ODS persist in the atmosphere for decades, so existing chemicals continue to release reactive chlorine/bromine.
💡 Hint
Long-lived ODS.
Question
Name the treaty amendment that links the Montreal Protocol to climate benefits.
Answer
The Kigali Amendment (2016), which targets HFCs (strong greenhouse gases).
💡 Hint
Kigali = HFCs.
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Topic 6.4 hub
Stratospheric ozone
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