Stratospheric ozone depletion

The gradual fall in the concentration of chlorinecontaining ozone-depleting substances in the troposphere (on their way to the stratosphere) shows that international policies to control emissions of ozone-depleting substances are succeeding. Production, sales and consumption of ozonedepleting substances in European countries have fallen significantly since 1989. However, the long life of these substances in the atmosphere means that the ozone layer may not recover fully until after 2050.

The remaining policy challenges for European countries are to tighten control measures, reduce the production and use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and methyl bromide, to manage the remaining stocks of ozone-depleting substances, and to support developing countries in their efforts to reduce their production, use and emissions of ozone-depleting substances.