European Union receives 2017 Ozone Award
The European Union has received the 2017 Ozone Award for political leadership, for its role in the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
The award was announced during the 29th Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol held this week in Montreal, Canada, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the landmark global treaty which has successfully protected the Earth’s ozone layer.
European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete said: “The Montreal Protocol is a fine example of swift and effective action at global level in response to scientific evidence of a serious man-made environmental problem. The EU has been a frontrunner in eliminating the substances that created the hole in the ozone layer, working successfully with industry to bring alternative technologies to the market.”
The EU has already phased out ozone-depleting substances, 10 years ahead of its obligations under the Montreal Protocol. The EU is also well into the process of reducing its consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), highly powerful greenhouse gases that were added to the Montreal Protocol’s list of controlled substances last year, through the Kigali Amendment.
The Ozone Awards recognise the achievements of individuals, groups, and organisations that have shown extraordinary commitment and contribution to implementation of the Montreal Protocol in the past 10 years. This year’s winners across the eight categories were chosen by an international jury of eight members after pre-screening by a selection committee.