IIASA at the 48th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

Pallav Purohit, Senior Research Scholar in the Pollution Management Research Group of the Energy, Climate, and Environment Program at IIASA, will participate as a member of the Replenishment Task Force of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP), contributing his expertise in modelling fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions, evaluating mitigation pathways, and assessing technology transitions, with a particular focus on compliance modelling and lifecycle refrigerant management.

The Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987, is a landmark international environmental agreement designed to protect the Earth’s ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and other controlled substances. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 2016, introduced measures to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases that were widely used as alternatives to ozone-depleting CFCs and HCFCs. These substances have historically been used in applications including refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps, aerosol propellants, fire suppression, foam blowing, and solvents.

The OEWG serves as a key forum for Parties to the Montreal Protocol to consider scientific, technical, economic, and policy matters related to the implementation and further development of the agreement. It reviews assessments prepared by the Protocol’s expert panels, considers adjustments and amendments to control measures, and addresses issues related to technology transfer, financial mechanisms, compliance, and implementation challenges, particularly for developing countries. The OEWG develops recommendations for consideration by the Meeting of the Parties, helping to ensure the continued effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol.

As a member of the Replenishment Task Force, Purohit contributed to the TEAP report Assessment of the Funding Requirement for the Replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for the Period 2027-2029  prepared to support the 2026 replenishment process of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol. The report provides a technical assessment of the financial resources required by Article 5 Parties to meet their obligations under the Protocol, including the continued phase-out of ODS and the phasedown of HFCs under the Kigali Amendment. The report was issued by TEAP in May 2026 and re-issued on 24 June 2026 for technical reasons.