IIASA at the 46th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was adopted to protect the Earth’s ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone depleting substances (ODS), such as those contained in aerosol sprays, coolants, asthma inhalers, food production, and building materials, to name a few.

The Open-ended Working Group of the parties to the Montreal Protocol considers the scientific and technical work that underpins the Protocol, compiled by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and the Scientific Assessment Panel. Discussions at the meeting will include:

• Very short-lived substances that have a significant impact on the ozone layer, especially in the lower stratosphere;
• The significant increase in the production of controlled substances used as feedstock and increased emissions of such substances;
• Life-cycle refrigerant management;
• Enhancing the global and regional atmospheric monitoring of controlled substances;
• Nominations for critical-use exemptions for methyl bromide for 2025; and
• Energy efficiency.

Delegates will also consider issues related to the future availability of halons and their alternatives, and possible compliance deferral for some developing country parties, an issue which emerged at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, they will address how best to strengthen the Protocol’s institutions, including combating illegal trade, which has been a growing concern in the past few years. The meeting is also expected to discuss potential changes to a form for reporting on HFC-23.

Purohit developed and implemented the global fluorinated greenhouse gas module in the IIASA Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) model and coordinated various policy applications involving the GAINS model in industrialized and developing countries. His research interests include integrated assessment of air pollution and greenhouse gases, short-lived climate pollutants, energy economics, policy, and planning.

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