17 November 2008
This week, CSD Director A.R. Ravishankara is at the 20th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (ozone layer) in Doha, Qatar, in his capacity as Cochair of the Protocol's Scientific Assessment Panel (SAP).
At this meeting, discussion is expected on the topic of strengthening the agreements related to hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which are being used as substitutes for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Though they are more ozone friendly than the CFCs they replace, the HCFCs still do destroy some stratospheric ozone.
Ravi will provide any scientific information that may be requested by the Parties for these discussions. In addition, he will give a presentation on the plans for the next scientific assessment of the ozone layer, which will be prepared during 2009 and 2010 per the terms of the Montreal Protocol.
Also attending the meeting is CSD scientist David Fahey, who will participate in discussions of ozone, climate, and the "world avoided" by the Montreal Protocol.
Background: The annual Meeting of the Parties is a decisionmaking meeting of the Protocol's ~190 signatory nations. They determine whether to take new measures to strengthen the Protocol's provisions regarding the protection of the ozone layer.
Significance: This activity underscores NOAA's role in providing scientific information that is input for decisions on global environmental issues. The work contributes to the Understanding Climate Processes capability of the Climate Goal's Climate Research and Modeling Program.